Current Articles for July 11, 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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Jail time for leaving gun in an unlocked car? Cities nudge states on firearm laws.
By Patrik Jonsson.
Christian Science Monitor, July 1, 2024, pp. 10-11.
Explores the difficulties faced by cities in Georgia and other states upon passing local gun control ordinances. Delves into the debate between cities and states over implementation of gun restrictions.
See: https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/0607/local-gun-laws-violence-Savannah-community
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Why students must shout to be heard.
By Gabriel Winant.
Chronicle of Higher Education, May 10, 2024, pp. 40-42, 44.
Considers the role of students in university governance and the evolution of campus protests from 2015 to 2024. -
How states can use tax and unemployment filings to sign people up for health insurance.
By Rachel Swindle, Rachel Schwab, and Justin Giovannelli.
Commonwealth Fund, June 20, 2024, p. 1.
Explores how some states are using the tax filing process to connect eligible but uninsured people with affordable health insurance through "easy-enrollment programs."
See: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2024/how-states-can-use-tax-and-unemployment-filings-sign-peop ...
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Immigration: Beyond the border.
Economist, June 22nd-28th, 2024, p. 24.
Reviews the current state of America’s legal immigration system.
See: https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/06/18/legal-immigration-to-america-has-rebounded
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What would religious charter schools mean for public education?
By Kevin G. Welner.
Education Week, June 12, 2024, p. 24.
Discusses the recent lawsuits related to funding religious charter schools with state funds in Oklahoma and Maine. Considers the potential effects of funding religious charter schools on public education. -
Episcopal Health Foundation releases its first-ever poll on health experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in Texas.
Episcopal Health Foundation, May 20, 2024, p. 1.
Presents poll data from a report showing that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) living in Texas skip or postpone medical care due to cost. Includes AAPI opinions on problems with access to health care in Texas.
See: https://www.episcopalhealth.org/news-release/episcopal-health-foundation-releases-its-first-ever-pol ...
Report at: https://www.episcopalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SSRS-AAPI-Experiences-2024-1.pdf
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The gods of logic: Before and after artificial intelligence.
By Benjamín Labatut.
Harper's Magazine, July 2024, pp. 23-26, 28-29.
Presents an essay on the artificial intelligence (AI) "apocalypse" and the dangers of AI usurping humankind. Discusses the development of the artificial neuron, the basis for today's AI systems, and the research of Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "godfather of AI."
See: https://harpers.org/archive/2024/07/the-gods-of-logic-benjamin-labatut-ai/
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Don't let governments buy AI systems that ignore human rights.
By Merve Hickok and Evanna Hu.
Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2024, pp. 37-41.
Argues governments need procurement systems that address human rights protections related to artificial intelligence (AI) products. Recommends broad requirements for a procurement process that centers human rights.
See: https://issues.org/government-procurement-ai-systems-human-rights-hickok-hu/
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The Texas Medical Board and the futility of medical exceptions to abortion bans.
By Elizabeth Sepper, Kari White, and Anitra Beasley.
JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), June 2024, pp. 2073-2074.
Criticizes the lack of clarity and cumbersome new document procedures caused by the Texas Medical Board's new rule on when physicians can legally administer an abortion. Compares abortion ban exceptions in other states. -
Prisoners of conscience.
By Haley Strack.
National Review, August 2024, pp. 20, 22-23.
Considers how pro-life protesters are being prosecuted under current federal law.
See: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=177828058&site=ehost-live
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Gimme shelter.
By C.J. Ciaramella.
Reason, July 2024, pp. 18-24.
Discusses how local jurisdictions are trying to address the homelessness problem. Presents efforts by the city of Miami, Florida, as a case study.
See: https://reason.com/2024/06/15/gimme-shelter-2/
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ERCOT and Winter Storm Uri: What happened, the litigation status.
By Britta Stanton.
State Bar of Texas: Oil, Gas and Energy Resources, Spring 2024, pp. 46-49.
Provides a brief overview of various court cases involving the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the response to Winter Storm Uri. -
Estimated $700 million cost of Texas anti-ESG laws based on faulty data, new report asserts.
By Brad Johnson.
Texan, July 2, 2024, p. 1.
Discusses Texas' anti-Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) laws, enacted by SB 13 and SB 19, 87th Legislature, R.S., and argues that the $700 million estimated cost in a March 2024 TXP analysis released by the Texas Association of Business (TAB) was based on faulty data. Highlights a new American Energy Institute report by former State Representative Jason Isaac and Vance Ginn on Texas' anti-ESG laws. Discusses the data sources and annual reports of the Bond Review Board.
Report at: https://cb9cdd3c-61f1-494f-94da-c77c057de62c.usrfiles.com/ugd/cb9cdd_c396240226ec4a428d0d5244c7fe48b ...
See: https://thetexan.news/state/texas-state-news/estimated-700-million-cost-of-texas-anti-esg-laws-based ...
Report at: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24784419-2024-06-americanenergy-texas-antiesg-laws-are-worki ...
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Protecting public health: Johnson County investigates toxic chemical spread, calls for immediate change in biosolids application, regulation.
By Julie Anderson.
Texas County Progress, July 2024, pp. 10-17.
Discusses the activities of the Johnson County Commissioners Court in response to an outbreak of biosolid PFAS chemical contamination in local ranches.
See: https://countyprogress.com/biosolids-protecting-public-health/
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'The real heart of the Democratic Party is with the criminals.'
By Alexandra Samuels.
Texas Monthly, July 2024, pp. 61-62.
Interviews Dallas mayor Eric Johnson, who was elected mayor of Dallas in 2019 and reelected in 2023, and who switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican last year. Discusses his reasons for changing parties and how it has affected his governance of the city.
See: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=177815640&site=ehost-live
See: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/the-real-heart-of-the-democratic-party-is-with-the-crimin ...