Current Articles for July 25, 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.
-
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
By Emerson Sprick.
Bipartisan Policy Center, July 2024, pp. 1-13.
Notes that approximately six percent of U.S. workers have employment not covered by Social Security. Details how the Social Security Administration uses the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) to adjust the benefit formula. Discusses various policy reform options at the federal level.
See: https://bipartisanpolicy.org/download/?file=/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BPC_WEP-GPO_issue-brief.pdf
-
Closing Medicaid coverage gap would help diverse groups and reduce inequities.
By Gideon Lukens and Laura Harker.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Updated July 15, 2024, pp. 1-14.
Analyzes the Medicaid "coverage gap" in the states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion, including Texas, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Includes statistics on this medically uninsured population in Texas by gender, age, race and ethnicity, employment type, family characteristics, and disability.
See: https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/7-9-24health.pdf
-
WIC coordination with Medicaid and SNAP: More state WIC programs collaborating with other major programs to reach additional eligible low-income families with young children.
By Zoë Neuberger and Lauren Hall.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Updated July 18, 2024, pp. 1-15.
Reviews the collaboration between the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). Argues that states can support healthier pregnancies, improve birth outcomes, and improve child health by enrolling a greater share of Medicaid and SNAP participants in WIC. Includes 50-state tables on state-level coordination between WIC and Medicaid and/or SNAP.
See: https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/7-18-24fa.pdf
-
New Medicaid payment rules aim to expand access to care.
By Avi Herring, Cindy Mann, and Anne Karl.
Commonwealth Fund, June 21, 2024, pp. 1-3.
Details the recent Medicaid rule changes which allow state-directed payments for managed care plans. Explains how the changes will improve access to care.
See: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2024/new-medicaid-payment-rules-aim-expand-access-care
-
Lethal election: How the U.S. electoral process increases the arbitrariness of the death penalty.
By Robin M. Maher and Leah Roemer.
Death Penalty Information Center, July 1, 2024, pp. 1-32.
Explores the influence of electoral politics on the behavior of elected officials in death penalty cases. Considers how declining public support for the death penalty has altered politics in select states.
See: https://dpic-cdn.org/production/documents/Lethal-Election-Report_Spreads.pdf?dm=1719886362
-
SCOTUS rejects consent decree over Rio Grande.
By Brigit Rollins.
The National Agricultural Law Center, July 16, 2024, pp. 1-4.
Describes the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Texas v. New Mexico, a long-running case between the states of Texas and New Mexico over apportionment of water in the Rio Grande. Traces the case's background in a 1906 water treaty and in the 1938 Rio Grande Compact. Explains the court's decision not to approve a consent degree proposed by the states of Texas and New Mexico.
See: https://nationalaglawcenter.org/scotus-rejects-consent-decree-over-rio-grande/
Related information at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/141orig_d18f.pdf
-
Protecting access to essential utility service during extreme heat and climate change.
By Karen Lusson.
National Consumer Law Center, July 2024, pp. 1-39.
Examines the impact of extreme heat on utility consumers and presents policy recommendations to safeguard utility services for under-resourced consumers facing extreme weather. Mentions heat-related deaths in Texas.
See: https://www.nclc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/202407_Report_Protecting-Access-to-Essential-Utility ...
-
Americans’ views of government’s role: Persistent divisions and areas of agreement.
Pew Research Center, June 24, 2024, pp. 1-54.
Presents the results of a survey of Americans about their views of the role of government. Examines Americans’ views of the role and scope of government, the social safety net, and long-term trends in trust in the federal government. Highlights areas of agreement and disagreement that cut across party lines, such an opposition to cutting Social Security.
See: https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/06/PP_2024.6.24_role-of-government_REPO ...
-
Speaking out: Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor of Texas.
Texas Builder, Summer 2024, pp. 32-33.
Interviews Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick about the reasons he entered elected politics and the issues of interest to the Texas Association of Builders in the 2025 legislative session, including the power grid and property tax relief.
See: https://cdn.coverstand.com/69733/822605/46601576b499114477250563f31385b41b7b3912.2.pdf#page=32
-
Upgrading Texas' legal system: The business court and 15th Court of Appeals.
By Lee Parsley.
Texas Builder, Summer 2024, pp. 10-11.
Provides an overview of Texas' new specialized business court and the 15th Court of Appeals, created by HB 19 and SB 1045, 88th Legislature, R.S.
See: https://cdn.coverstand.com/69733/822605/46601576b499114477250563f31385b41b7b3912.2.pdf#page=10
-
Litigating the Republican civil war.
By Justin Miller.
Texas Observer, July/August 2024, pp. 2-3.
Traces the rising presence and influence of conservative trial lawyers in the Texas Legislature. Highlights this new faction's animus against the powerful business group Texans for Lawsuit Reform, which helped pave the way for Texas' Republican majority. Mentions Senator Bryan Hughes, Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, Representative Shelby Slawson, and Representative Briscoe Cain.
See: https://www.texasobserver.org/litigating-the-republican-civil-war/
-
What drives wind and flood insurance?
By Richard Rudolph.
Tierra Grande, Summer 2024, pp. 5-7.
Describes the various factors that determine windstorm and flood insurance, including location, proximity to water or high-risk flooding areas, design and build of the home, and the roof condition and roofing materials. Includes map of Texas wind zones.
See: https://issuu.com/recenter/docs/issuu_tg_31_3/6