Kirk Watson

Latest : No Wrong Door. Our understanding of the relationship between these issues has evolved a lot in the past few decades. We know that they’re connected and that we haven’t always had a system that responds effectively to the complex needs of those suffering on the streets.

Many of these individuals are caught up in a horrible cycle of crisis, arrest, detention, momentary stabilization, and then a return to the streets without a plan for long-term sustained care. It’s expensive for taxpayers, it drains the resources of our government entities, and it’s not effective. Most importantly, the current system fails the very vulnerable people we are trying to serve.

According to the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, there are nearly 1000 people in Travis County that are high utilizers cycling through our local criminal justice and health care systems, as well as our homelessness and social service programs. Across Travis County, these individuals cost our local systems an estimated $137 million each year. Many of these individuals have severe behavioral illnesses that make it hard to get them the sustained and personalized care they need to stabilize.

“No Wrong Door” is what we’re calling a joint effort between Central Health, the Travis County healthcare district, Travis County, the City of Austin, Integral Care, and others to establish a coordinated crisis response program aimed at disrupting the cycle of arrests, emergency room visits, and homelessness among people with the most complex social and behavioral health needs. We’ve been working with this effort for a few months now, including multiple meetings at City Hall with all of the players at the table.

Regardless of how you look at people living homeless—if you want them to have stability and the brain health care some need, if you want people getting mental health care instead of getting arrested, if you just want them off the street and out of encampments, if you want to pay less taxes for assisting them, cleaning up encampments, or paying for their time in jail—No Wrong Door is a better path for us.

Read more: bit.ly/WireNWD

Today, the Travis County Commissioners Court gave final approval for Central Health’s FY27 budget.

This is a historic investment and a huge step in our community's ability to break the cycle of homelessness for those experiencing mental and behavioral health issues and realize transformative improvements in brain health for Austin and Travis County. I thank both Central Health and Travis County for working with us.

This joint effort between the healthcare district, Travis County, and the City of Austin helps address longstanding gaps in our behavioral health system by advancing No Wrong Door, a regional effort to better coordinate emergency response, case management, and care, and invests in a comprehensive Mental Health Crisis Care Center.

Central Health’s budget commits $127.5 million toward mental and behavioral health care, including $54 million in new revenue to fund immediate crisis intervention and long-term comprehensive brain health care.

➡️ No Wrong Door - $33.1 million invested in 32 new psychiatric beds at Dell Seton Medical Center for complex, high-acuity cases who currently have no place to go for stabilization and care, and $4.9M in new dollars to establish and expand local crisis and recovery care resources.

➡️ Mental Health Crisis Care Center - $16 million, with $3 million going to the Sobering Center, for the planning and future operation of a comprehensive crisis care center, a project in development with Central Health, Travis County, Integral Care and other community partners.

➡️ Psychiatric Emergency Services- $400,000 for additional Psychiatric Emergency Services provided by Integral Care.

Today’s approval of these investments demonstrates a shared commitment to a goal of ending an expensive cycle and giving vulnerable people a real chance at stability. It's a significant step, but there is more to do.

Read more:

Central Health approves $54M for mental healthcare Central Health's board of managers approved a $1.015 billion fiscal year 2026-27 budget with $54 million in new funding for crisis and mental health services in Travis County.

A functioning 911 Emergency Communications Center is critical to Austin’s public safety. 

In emergency situations, every second counts — and how fast a 911 call taker picks up can be the difference between life and death. 

That’s why I’m so proud of the work APD has done to slash vacancies at 911 and cut our answer rate. Since 2024, our 911 operators have exceeded the national standard. 

These highly trained call takers and dispatchers work 24/7 to relay critical information to our first responders, so they can respond as quickly and safely as possible. 

I was honored to spend time with some of these dedicated public servants and learn more about what they do. You can tell these folks love their jobs and love their community.

Austin leads the national conversation and the actual outcomes on housing because we're doing what it takes to build. I'm glad to see Airbnb investing in housing projects like St. John's. Expanding housing takes all of us. When a company like Airbnb steps up and works alongside local organizations, community leaders, and the city, you get real outcomes.

https://news.airbnb.com/housing-accelerator-austin-investment

The sadness, fear, and sense of concern and worry on September 11, 2001 is something I will never forget. But I will also never forget how we united to support our country.

Folks across the city, and across this country, donated blood, volunteered in the recovery efforts, and consoled each other. 9/11 was a painful moment, but it was also a moment of unity and compassion.

Today is also an opportunity to thank our first responders. Several of Austin’s firefighters provided help after the terror attacks.

Every year, the Austin Fire Department does a stair climb to honor their sacrifice and bravery. It’s the longest running memorial of its kind in the nation and a wonderful way to always remember their service.

FULL INTERVIEW: Austin firefighter reflects on 25 years of 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Austin Fire Department Lieutenant Jerry Cohen reflects on 25 years ...

Latest : A Plan for Austin ISD.

By law, the State Commissioner of Education must intervene in the Austin Independent School District because two middle schools—Burnet and Webb—have received five consecutive accountability ratings of F. The law provides possible actions by the Commissioner, including closing the two schools or replacing the elected school board with a state-appointed board of managers.

I oppose a state takeover of Austin ISD.

These children and their families are my constituents, and the success of our public schools is inextricably tied to the success of our city and its future potential.

We want families to stay in Austin. Schools matter.

We want every child to have genuine opportunity. Education is the most powerful opportunity infrastructure a community has.

We want Austin kids to grow up with the skills to participate in the extraordinary economy being built around them. Workforce development begins long before somebody fills out a job application.

We want companies to invest here and create career-sustaining jobs for Austinites. Employers care about the workforce that schools are preparing.

They seek a city in which their employees can expect their kids to be well educated. And I have unambiguously declared that I want Austin to be the best place in America to be a kid.

So, what should happen? First, let’s be candid. We can oppose a state takeover and still ensure accountability.

Five consecutive F ratings at the two schools are unworthy of those children and their parents. They deserve more, and nobody should minimize that.

But accountability isn't just about imposing consequences. It's about producing results. And when those results show improvement, accountability should recognize that, too.

Undeniable improvement is occurring in Austin ISD.

Read more: https://bit.ly/AISDPlan

Latest : It's Back! Last Saturday was a historic day. It was the first day of the 2026 football season where I was able to watch a meaningful football game and, most importantly, fall asleep during the game. The second-best thing to do on a Fall Saturday is watch college football. The best thing to do is take a nap while watching college football.

And college football is back, baby.

Read more: bit.ly/SECMayors

Pictured: Bear mocking me by imitating me watching football.

In 1999, Southwest Airlines helped us give birth to the Austin-Bergstrom Int. Airport we know today.

As we move into the future with our expansion program, Southwest continues to show its commitment to Austin’s success. This is great news!

In 1999, Southwest Airlines helped us give birth to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport we know today.

As we move into the future with our expansion program, Southwest continues to show its commitment to Austin's success. This is great news!

Southwest Airlines to construct first-ever airport lounge at Austin airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was one of four airports selected for Southwest Airlines’ first-ever airport lounge network.