Current Articles for January 23, 2025

The Legislative Reference Library produces a weekly list of current journal articles for members of the legislative community. Each week, librarians select and abstract articles of interest to the legislature from the latest issues of over 300 journals, newsletters, state documents, and trade publications. Electronic copies of the Current Articles list are distributed to legislative offices each Thursday.

The Legislative Reference Library is located on the second floor of the State Capitol building in Room 2N.3. For more information, please call the Library at 512-463-1252.

• The battle over Bibles in US public schools. By Jackie Valley. Christian Science Monitor, December 9, 2024, pp. 20-24.
  Examines the controversy surrounding efforts by several states to post the Ten Commandments in public schools and incorporate the Bible into school curricula.
  See: https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1204/public-school-classroom-ten-commandments-trump-bibl ...
  
• An enticing offer: How some rural communities are winning the competition for new clinicians. By Sarah Klein and Patricia Richardson Schoenbrun. Commonwealth Fund, December 19, 2024, pp. 1-8.
  Details initiatives to promote and keep physicians in rural communities. Highlights the success of such programs when implemented in other states.
  See: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2024/dec/how-some-rural-communities-are-winning-new-cl ...
  
• Black, Native American and civil rights advocates urge Texas court to end hair discrimination in Texas schools. IDRA (Intercultural Development Research Association), December 2024, pp. 1-2.
  Reviews the ongoing litigation, George v. Barbers Hill Independent School District, relating to enforcement of the Texas CROWN Act to protect hair length. Discusses the amicus brief filed by IDRA in support of the plaintiff.
  See: https://www.idra.org/resource-center/black-native-american-and-civil-rights-advocates-urge-texas-cou ...
  
• TASA 2025 legislative priorities and positions. Insight (Texas Association of School Administrators), Fall 2024, pp. 19-22.
  Outlines the legislative priorities and positions of the Texas Association of School Administrators for the 89th legislative session.
  See: https://issuu.com/tasanet/docs/insight-fall-2024/18
  
• Water war crushing Texas farmers. By Matthew Lysiak. Newsmax, January 2025, p. 23.
  Explores the consequences for Texas farmers of Mexico failing to adhere to an 80-year-old water-sharing treaty. Quotes Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.
  Related information at: https://www.ibwc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1944Treaty.pdf
  
• A house, not a home: Burrows' speakership and the future of the 89th session. By Brad Johnson. Texan, January 15, 2025, pp. 1-3.
  Discusses the election of Speaker Dustin Burrows and future legislative issues to be considered in the 89th Legislature, including public education, property taxes, and public safety.
  See: https://thetexan.news/state/legislature/texas-state-house-news/a-house-not-a-home-burrows-speakershi ...
  
• Initial findings on implementation of 12-month postpartum health coverage in Texas. By Diana Forester and Chelsea Cornelius. Texans Care for Children, December 2024, pp. 1-9.
  Discusses challenges in the implementation of the Medicaid 12-month postpartum extension (HB 12, 88th Legislature, R.S.), gleaned from interviews with providers and mothers. Suggests more mental health support is needed and that new mothers need additional benefits and providers in Medicaid.
  See: https://txchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HB-12-Implementation-Brief.pdf
  
• Enhancing awareness. By Jessica Ridge. Texas Medicine, January 2025, pp. 30-35.
  Examines the syphilis epidemic in Texas. Notes Texas' significantly higher rate of syphilis cases as compared to the national average. Discusses the Texas Department of State Health Services' efforts to increase testing, curb the spread, and educate physicians about syphilis treatment.
  See: https://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=65153
  
• What Trump 2.0 could mean for public education. By Josephine Lee. Texas Observer, December 3, 2024, pp. 1-4.
  Interviews Diane Ravitch, a Houston native, retired research professor of education, and former assistant secretary of education under President George H.W. Bush. Details her childhood attending Houston’s public schools during McCarthyism and discusses how President Trump’s second administration could impact public schools and students.
  See: https://www.texasobserver.org/trump-public-education-diane-ravitch/