Sen. Kirk Watson on an Open, Honest Budget

by: Matt Glazer

Tue Feb 10, 2009 at 08:06 AM CST

Today Sen. Watson released his thoughts simply titled, "An Open, Honest Budget".

He speaks directly to the technical machinations over the last few years that have allowed for so many of the things we're concerned about in state government.

Usually the Watson Wire is released on Friday, but the Senator and his staff delayed the release because this weeks Watson Wire comes with an entire legislative package.

Today, I'll file a package of reforms designed to make the Texas budget more sensible, open and honest.  These bills are about making a positive change and putting the Legislature more in touch with Texans.

The bills will help citizens see how legislators are spending their money.  They'll also create checks and balances to ensure public funds are going toward things Texans want and expect the state to invest in.

My package would require the state to spend money in ways that legislative leaders have always promised - and it would block those leaders from diverting the same money into what amounts to a hedge fund.

It would create unprecedented public access to the budget-writing process so people can get answers to their own questions, not just those questions that budget writers choose to answer.

And it would help small businesses, kids and the economy by bolstering programs that everyday Texans need and support.

Watch the Watson Wire or read the full text on Sen. Watson's website.

On a side note, this also shows the need for embeddable video.   It is easier for us to promote and it makes it more likely people will watch it.