Current Articles for November 21, 2024

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.

• Are colleges really facing an enrollment cliff? By Dick Startz. Brookings Institution, October 2024, pp. 1-5.
  Evaluates the recent trend of college closures and decline in higher education enrollment. Argues that the concern over the reported declines is less severe than reported. Concludes that uneven enrollment distribution and program elimination are the greater concern.
  See: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/are-colleges-really-facing-an-enrollment-cliff/
  
• The importance of Medicaid for older Americans. By Alicia H. Munnell. Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, October 2024, pp. 1-9.
  Discusses the importance of Medicaid for the medical expenses of poor, older Americans. Notes Medicaid spends over $132 billion per year, or 20 percent of its budget, on individuals ages 65 and over. Includes a brief history of Medicaid, the relationship of the federal government with the state to implement Medicaid policy, and the overlap of Medicare and Medicaid.
  See: https://crr.bc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IB_24-22.pdf
  
• 'No transparency': Texas A&M drops LGBT minor. By Garrett Shanley. Chronicle of Higher Education, November 1, 2024, pp. 6, 8.
  Discusses Texas A&M University’s recent decision to review some of their minors and certificate programs after receiving criticism from individuals outside of the university. Quotes Representative Brian Harrison.
• Where are the white students? By Katherine Mangan and Brian O'Leary. Chronicle of Higher Education, November 1, 2024, pp. 14-18, 20, 22, 24.
  Reports on the continuing decline in the enrollment of white students at colleges and universities. Includes accompanying data and charts. Considers reasons for the decline.
• A national nonprofit urges better mental health and housing policies for older foster youth. By Susanti Sarkar and Bria Suggs. The Imprint: Youth & Family News, November 5, 2024, pp. 1-4.
  Describes the involvement of former foster youth in Georgia, New York, and California in a discussion hosted by the Center for the Study of Social Policy on the need for system reforms and improved access to mental health care and affordable housing for older foster youth.
  See: https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/nonprofit-former-foster-youth-urge-better-policies/255928
  
• The spreading deer plague. By Jimmy Tobias. Nation, November 2024, pp. 42-49.
  Explores the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer populations in Wisconsin and the response of the state's Department of Natural Resources. Discusses the history of CWD and the indisputable effect it has on deer herds, deer hunters, and wildlife management agencies across the country.
  See: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=180437849&site=ehost-live
  
• You won't believe this: Researchers are trying to 'inoculate' people against misinformation by giving them small doses ahead of time. By Kai Kupferschmidt. Science, November 1, 2024, pp. 483-485.
  Explores the concept of inoculating people against misinformation by exposing them to small amounts of it and whether the strategy is effective in preventing or reducing the belief in and dissemination of misinformation.
  See: https://www.science.org/content/article/can-people-be-inoculated-against-misinformation
  
• The forgotten origins of Six Flags: Icon of Texas exceptionalism. By Keith J. Volanto. Southwestern Historical Quarterly, October 2024, pp. 168-185.
  Examines the historical development of the "Six Flags of Texas" as a cultural icon based on the state being claimed by six separate sovereignties—Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States, and the Confederacy. Traces the first use of the term "Six Flags" to the book Under Six Flags: The Story of Texas by Mollie Evelyn Moore Davis, published in 1897 and distributed in Texas public schools. Discusses the "Six Flags" as a familiar symbol of Texas patriotism at celebratory occasions, women's clubs, Rotary clubs, and pageants, culminating in the Texas Centennial of 1936.
• Confronting the new property tax revolt. By Jared Walczak. Tax Foundation, November 2024, pp. 1-19.
  Discusses recent discontent over high property taxes that is fueling a movement to curtail or eliminate the property tax. Argues the property tax is a tax policy worth preserving and presents solutions to offset or constrain the runaway growth of property taxes. Includes a 50-state table of property taxes and the share of local tax revenue. Mentions the new $100,000 homestead exemption in Texas.
  See: https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/FF852.pdf
  
• Chinese land ownership, border security, gender privacy: Legislative filing opens in Texas. By Brad Johnson. Texan, November 13, 2024, pp. 1-3.
  Provides an overview of the first day of prefiling for the 89th Legislature.
  See: https://thetexan.news/state/texas-state-news/chinese-land-ownership-border-security-gender-privacy-l ...
  
• Hurry up and wait: Texas House Speaker race gains post-election steam. By Brad Johnson. Texan, November 13, 2024, pp. 1-6.
  Discusses the Speaker's race, including comments from Speaker Dade Phelan and Representatives David Cook and Ana-Maria Ramos.
  See: https://thetexan.news/state/legislature/texas-state-house-news/hurry-up-and-wait-texas-house-speaker ...
  
• Texas Legislature gains new crop of pro-school choice Republicans after November election. By Cameron Abrams. Texan, November 11, 2024, pp. 1-2.
  Discusses the effect of the Texas House elections on potential legislation relating to school choice and education savings accounts.
  See: https://thetexan.news/elections/2024/texas-legislature-gains-new-crop-of-pro-school-choice-republica ...
  
• Texas Medical Board reiterates abortion law exceptions, physician 'rules and responsibilities'. By Mary Elise Cosgray. Texan, November 11, 2024, pp. 1-2.
  Highlights the November 8 statement of the Texas Medical Board relating to abortion-related rules and regulations for physicians caring for pregnant women. Quotes Senator Bryan Hughes.
  See: https://thetexan.news/issues/healthcare/texas-medical-board-reiterates-abortion-law-exceptions-physi ...
  Related information at: https://www.tmb.state.tx.us/dl/B01FEE01-030B-2E5A-A64E-70D390BD4594
  
• Pecan yields vary across Lone Star State amid weather extremes. By Emmy Powell. Texas Agriculture, November 1, 2024, p. 36.
  Discusses the mixed outcomes for Texas pecan growers for 2024. Notes that drought in some parts of the state and heavy rainfall in others have created challenging growing environments. Quotes experts from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service on the slump in the pecan market.
  See: http://texasagriculture.texasfarmbureau.org/articles/pecan-yields-vary-across-lone-star-state-amid-w ...
  
• Texas hospitals' 2025 state policy priorities. Texas Hospital Association, November 2024, pp. 1-2.
  Lists the Texas Hospital Association's state policy priorities for 2025.
  See: https://www.tha.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2025-State-Policy-Priorities_FINAL.pdf
  
• Speaker boxing. By Justin Miller. Texas Observer, November/December 2024, pp. 2-3.
  Discusses the political fortunes of Dade Phelan, Speaker of the Texas House, in his quest to return to the speakership in the 89th Legislature. Notes that a group of self-appointed reformers in the Texas House have put forth Representative David Cook as a rival candidate for speaker.
  See: https://www.texasobserver.org/speaker-phelan-gop-lege-2025/