Current Articles for June 06, 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.
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Most new teachers entering Texas classrooms now are uncertified.
Advocate (Texas State Teachers Association), Spring 2024, pp. 10-11.
Discusses the influx of uncertified teachers into Texas schools. Advocates for teacher certifications to maintain teacher quality.
See: https://indd.adobe.com/view/publication/122f1a96-de24-4b06-ac0f-fc6437d27963/1/publication-web-resou ...
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Continued increases in TANF benefit levels are critical to helping families meet their needs and thrive.
By Diana Azevedo-McCaffrey and Tonanziht Aguas.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, May 29, 2024, pp. 1-15.
Explains state flexibility to increase benefit levels and establish cost-of-living adjustments for beneficiaries of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the federal cash assistance program for low-income families. Identifies Texas as one of the states that raised TANF cash benefits between July 2022 and July 2023 and includes state charts.
See: https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/5-29-24tanf.pdf
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The triumph of 'equity' over 'equality'.
By Darrin M. McMahon.
Chronicle of Higher Education, April 26, 2024, pp. 56-59, 61.
Discusses the terms “equality” and “equity.” Focuses on how these terms are used within the broader topic of education.
See: https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-triumph-of-equity-over-equality
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Generative AI: Two bots are better than one.
Economist, May 18th-24th, 2024, pp. 68-69.
Discusses the potential capabilities of multiple artificial intelligence (AI) models working together to perform complex tasks.
See: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/05/13/todays-ai-models-are-impressive-teams-of ...
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Report: Texas economy could save billions in losses by breaking the cycle of preventable health differences.
Episcopal Health Foundation, April 3, 2024, p. 1.
Summarizes the results of the Economic Impacts of Health Disparities in Texas in 2020 report. Links economic prosperity directly to health care quality. Notes that the Texas economy could save billions of dollars by improving preventative health care options in low-income areas.
See: https://www.episcopalhealth.org/enews/report-texas-economy-could-save-billions-in-losses-by-breaking ...
Report at: https://www.episcopalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2-27-24-Health-Disparities-Full.pdf
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Gun thefts from cars: The largest source of stolen guns.
By Jay Szkola, Megan J. O'Toole, and Sarah Burd-Sharps.
Everytown Research & Policy, May 9, 2024, p. 1.
Visually represents gun thefts from cars by city. Highlights data on guns stolen from cars, noting that this makes up half of all gun thefts (up from 25 percent a decade ago). Adds that cities in states with the weakest gun safety laws see nearly 18 times the rate of gun thefts from cars as those in states with the strongest gun laws.
See: https://everytownresearch.org/report/gun-thefts-from-cars-the-largest-source-of-stolen-guns-2/
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Panhandle wildfires devastate lives, economy: Economic losses could top $1 billion.
By Lisa Minton and Brandon Vasquez.
Fiscal Notes, May 2024, p. 1.
Assesses the economic impact of the recent Texas Panhandle wildfires, including crop and cattle losses. Discusses the May 1 report of the House Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires and outlines potential property tax relief for property owners.
See: https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/economics/2024/panhandle-fires/
Report at: https://www.house.texas.gov/_media/pdf/committees/reports/88interim/House-Interim-Committee-on-The-P ...
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Texas school district takes action to prevent identity-based bullying in schools.
IDRA (Intercultural Development Research Association), May 17, 2024, p. 1.
Reports on Round Rock ISD's new policy regarding identity-based bullying.
See: https://www.idra.org/resource-center/texas-school-district-takes-action-to-prevent-identity-based-bu ...
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Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in U.S. dairy cattle and detection of two human cases — United States, 2024.
By Shikha Garg, et al.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), May 30, 2024, pp. 501-505.
Reports on two human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1), first reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services, and a multi-state outbreak in dairy cows.
See: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/pdfs/mm7321e1-H.pdf
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Supreme Court issues ruling in Texas landowners' 5th Amendment Takings Clause case.
By Samantha Capaldo.
The National Agricultural Law Center, May 2, 2024, p. 1.
Explains the recently issued U.S. Supreme Court decision in DeVillier v. Texas, a lawsuit concerning the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and how it affects rural landowners. Explains how the outcome of the case affects agricultural and non-agricultural landowners and how they can sue to receive money when the State damages their property.
Related information at: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt5-9-1/ALDE_00013280/
See: https://nationalaglawcenter.org/supreme-court-issues-ruling-in-texas-landowners-5th-amendment-taking ...
Related information at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/22-913_3204.pdf
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Cost-of-living adjustments (2024).
National Association of State Retirement Administrators, May 2024, pp. 1-17.
Discusses periodic cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in state and local government pensions, including the purpose of COLAs; common COLA types and features; recent state changes to COLA provisions; and the impact of inflation on COLA changes. Features an appendix including the Texas County and District Retirement System; Employees Retirement System of Texas; Texas Municipal Retirement System; and Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
See: https://www.nasra.org/files/Issue%20Briefs/NASRACOLA%20Brief.pdf
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Dyslexia identification: Texas legislative trends in prevalence rate of students by school district locale.
By Michelle Simmons, Mikyung Shin, and Stephanie L. Hart.
Texas Education Review, May 2024, pp. 6-24.
Analyzes legislative policies that address the identification and evaluation of students with dyslexia. Includes a focus on the needs of rural school districts. Concludes that services for dyslexic students in Texas has greatly improved but requires additional work.
See: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/693e6221-c506-4ef0-8c25-645b7590e82b/ ...
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Changing history: How TMA has influenced the course of Texas medicine.
By Emma Freer.
Texas Medicine, June 2024, pp. 24-28.
Recounts some of the notable history of the Texas Medical Association (TMA). Highlights areas where TMA advocacy produced legislative change, such as creating medical award damage caps in medical negligence lawsuits.
See: https://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=64290
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Are Texas waters clean enough for swimming?
By Peter Holley.
Texas Monthly, June 2024, p. 75.
Gives an overview, in Q&A format, of the safety of the water at Texas beaches. Presents advice for would-be swimmers on how to check for the most recent information about bacteria levels and water safety, and discusses the opinion of environmental experts that climate change will lead to degraded coastal infrastructure and thus to more pollution.
See: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=177234939&site=ehost-live
Related information at: https://www.texasbeachwatch.com/
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The impact of anti-DEI legislation on LGBTQ+ faculty in higher education.
By Abbie E. Goldberg.
Williams Institute (UCLA School of Law), May 2024, pp. 1-36.
Analyzes how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) legislation has affected LGBTQ+ faculty in higher education, including teaching and research; impacts beyond the classroom; emotional and physical health; and desire and intention to move. Mentions Texas. Includes table of the residence of respondents and related DEI and LGBTQ+ laws and policies in their state.
See: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Anti-DEI-Laws-May-2024.pdf