In November, Kirk Watson narrowly avoided a runoff race to win re-election as Austin mayor. Having previously held the office from 1997 to 2001 — and elected to a two-year term in 2022 — Watson began a full term this month. What worked and what didn't during his return to the position, and what are his priorities for the future?
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Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief Matthew Watkins sits down with Watson to discuss his plans to address issues from housing affordability and homelessness to workforce development and the expansion of I-35, and how the city will interact with state leaders known to relish a fight with local elected officials.
Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. at RGC Bldg. 3000 of Austin Community College’s Rio Grande Campus, and the hour long conversation will begin at 11 a.m.
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Lunch provided by Flavor Hospitality Group and the Tribune will follow the program at 12 p.m.
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PARKING: Free parking is available at the parking garage located at 824 W 12th St.
This in-person event will be live streamed for virtual attendees and will be available to watch on demand afterward at texastribune.org/events.
Email us at events@texastribune.org
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Latson is the CEO of Opportunity Austin. Previously, he founded and served as executive director for ARMA, the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, a business group focused on strengthening the advanced manufacturing community through advocacy, workforce development and networking. Latson is also a member of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Semiconductor Taskforce.
Packer is president and CEO of the New Braunfels Chamber, a membership organization representing more than 1,600 businesses. The chamber advocates for sound public policy, serves as the destination marketing organization for New Braunfels and manages Confluence, a public-private economic development initiative.
Cisneros is chair of the infrastructure investment firm American Triple I. He is also vice chair of the board of directors and equity owner of Shank Williams Cisneros & Co. LLC and principal of Siebert Williams Shank & Co. LLC. He was mayor of San Antonio from 1981-89 and secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton from 1993-97.
