Current Articles for September 25, 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.

• Understanding young fatherhood within child welfare and juvenile justice systems. By Asari Offiong, et al. Child Trends, September 10, 2025, pp. 1-17.
  Presents a research summary about the multiple factors that shape young men's experiences of fatherhood, particularly among those fathers who have also experienced the child welfare and/or justice systems. Addresses the societal, systemic, interpersonal, and individual factors that influence fathers' experiences. Includes a companion report, A conversation guide to support young fathers in child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
  See: https://cms.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AR3-31_Understanding-Young-Fatherhood.pdf
  Related information at: https://cms.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AR3-32_Conversation-Guide-to-Support-Young-Fa ...
  
• When the legislature kills your department. By Lee Gardner. Chronicle of Higher Education, September 5, 2025, pp. 30-33.
  Discusses an increased interest by Republican state legislators to mandate academic program reviews for public colleges and universities. Presents arguments for and against these kinds of laws. Uses recently passed laws in Indiana, Ohio, and Utah as examples.
• Restrictive state opioid treatment program regulations constrain local access to methadone maintenance treatment. By J. Travis Donahoe, et al. Health Affairs, September 2025, pp. 1173-1180.
  Considers the level of restrictiveness in state programs related to the treatment of opioid use disorder. Measures access to methadone maintenance treatment by comparing zip codes across state borders between states with more restrictive programs and states with less restrictive programs.
  See: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.00341
  
• The hidden damage from tariffs. By Dominic Pino. National Review, October 2025, pp. 26, 28, 30.
  Recounts the reasons tariffs are economically problematic. Considers the impact on lobbyists, small businesses, manufacturing, taxpayers, and state and local governments. Notes that the U.S. Supreme Court may rule on the constitutionality of recently imposed tariffs in the fall.
  See: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=dbf416ec-a9c1-3264-98db-b557c0c8b4a7
  
• The state playbook for teacher recruitment, development, and retention. By William J. Slotnik and Paul Katnik. Phi Delta Kappan, Fall 2025, pp. 63-67.
  Discusses the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's playbook, which presents cornerstones for a successful statewide system for teacher recruitment and retention.
  Report at: https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/teacher-recruitment-and-retention-playbook-january-2025
  See: https://kappanonline.org/the-state-playbook-for-teacher-recruitment-development-and-retention/
  
• Revenue growth uneven across states as fiscal challenges loom: State Tax and Economic Review, 2025 Quarter 1. By Lucy Dadayan. Tax Policy Center (Urban Institute and Brookings Institution), August 2025, pp. 1-43.
  Analyzes state revenue volatility and tax revenue trends from July 2024 through March 2025. Considers the effects of recent federal actions—including potential spending cuts, trade and workforce policies, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—on state and local budgets. Includes tables of state revenue forecasts for fiscal year 2026 and state government tax revenue trends, by state.
  See: https://taxpolicycenter.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/STER_2025Q1.pdf
  Related information at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1
  
• Here's a look at Texas' five projected GOP pickups after congressional redistricting. By Brad Johnson. Texan, September 22, 2025, p. 1.
  Discusses the potential for Republicans to pick up seats in Congressional Districts 9, 28, 32, 34, and 35 as a result of redistricting (HB 4, 89th Legislature, 2nd C.S.). Notes additional Republican seats may depend on the Hispanic shift to the GOP. Includes color maps.
  See: https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/here-s-a-look-at-texas-five-projected-gop-pickups-after-congres ...
  
• Here's a look at the state constitutional amendments on the November 2025 ballot. By Mary Elise Cosgray. Texan, September 16, 2025, p. 1.
  Reviews the seventeen constitutional amendments on the November 4, 2025, ballot. Argues the most high-profile item is Proposition 3 (SJR 5, 89th Legislature, R.S.), relating to bail reform. Discusses additional amendments on the state's judicial branch, parental rights, and the clarification that voters must be U.S. citizens.
  See: https://thetexan.news/elections/2025/heres-a-look-at-the-state-constitutional-amendments-on-the-nove ...
  Related information at: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/november-2025-ballot-language-17.pdf
  
• What comes next for Texas pro-lifers after recent Republican policy victories. By Mary Elise Cosgray. Texan, September 22, 2025, p. 1.
  Speculates on the future priorities of the pro-life movement after passage of the Texas Woman and Child Protection Act (HB 7, 89th Legislature, 2nd C.S.), relating to medication abortion; enactment of the Texas Heartbeat Act in 2021 (SB 8, 87th Legislature, R.S.); and the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Discusses clarification of the state's abortion ban and exceptions for medical emergencies in the Life of the Mother Act (SB 31, 89th Legislature, R.S.). Notes that in-vitro fertilization (IVF) could be a future pro-life issue.
  See: https://thetexan.news/issues/social-issues-life-family/what-comes-next-for-texas-pro-lifers-after-re ...
  
• Gov. Abbott signs new law fighting mail theft and fraud. Texas Banking, September/October 2025, p. 26.
  Highlights new legislation by Senator Tan Parker, SB 1281, 89th Legislature, R.S., to combat mail-related financial crimes. Notes that SB 1281 updates the state's mail theft statute to include current criminal trends.
  See: https://member.texasbankers.com/Magazine/News/2025-09/25-09-Gov-Abbott-signs-new-law-fighting-mail-t ...
  
• Physician autonomy—preserved. By Jessica Ridge and Amy Lynn Sorrel. Texas Medicine, September/October 2025, pp. 24-27.
  Considers legislation passed during the 89th Legislature that preserves the autonomy of physicians to practice in the best interests of their patients.
  See: https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/article/Physician Autonomy – PRESERVED/5022167/850585/article.ht ...
  
• Is a strong Latino candidate Texas Democrats' only hope? By Justin Miller. Texas Observer, September/October 2025, pp. 2-3.
  Discusses the trajectory of Julián Castro, who was once a rising Democratic star but whose career narrowed after he chose not to challenge Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate. Posits that Castro's story exemplifies a broader trend in Texas politics in which leading Latino Democrats have declined to run for higher office or have otherwise failed to win the primary, leaving them underrepresented in a state with a plurality of Latino residents. Examines potential reasons for the trend and offers strategies for overcoming it.
  See: https://www.texasobserver.org/latino-top-ballot-texas-2026-democrats/