The Legislative Reference Library produces a weekly list of current journal articles for members of the legislative community. New lists are available most Thursdays at 3pm. The most recent list is below.

"Vanishing land." By Paul Thompson. Austin Business Journal, April 7-13, 2023, pp. 14-19
Analyzes the disadvantages of public facility corporations (PFCs) in Texas, which theoretically incentivize the development of affordable housing in areas that would not normally attract contractors.
See:https://www.bizjournals.c ...

"3 ways states can expand and sustain the infrastructure workforce by meeting child care needs." By Marina Zhavoronkova and Maureen Coffey. Center for American Progress, March 29, 2023, pp. 1-16
Contends that industries such as construction, clean energy, and manufacturing could expand their workforces by increasing access to adequate child care. Argues infrastructure funding should be allocated to child care services.
See:https://www.americanprogr ...

"The new accountability." By Eric Kelderman. Chronicle of Higher Education, April 14, 2023, pp. 38-43
Explores a recent movement in accreditation standards for colleges and universities to include measures of how institutions serve historically underrepresented students. Discusses how such standards may conflict with proposed state laws on the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) such as those in Texas, and includes a graph of the DEI standards of all seven major American accreditation organizations.
See:https://www.chronicle.com ...

"Hospital survival in rural markets: Closures, mergers, and profitability." By Caitlin Carroll, et al. Health Affairs, April 2023, pp. 498-507
Studies the rate of hospital closures and mergers in rural markets from 2010 through 2018, focusing on hospitals that were unprofitable. Argues that although many hospitals have survived despite poor financial performance, policies regulating rural hospitals will continue to be important.
See:https://www.healthaffairs ...

"Texas takes on transfer grants." By John Diamond, et al. MDRC, March 2023, pp. 1-11
Evaluates the Texas Transfer Grant Pilot Program created by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), a pilot program that provides need-based grants to community college students who transfer to four-year institutions.
See:https://www.mdrc.org/site ...

"Sports gambling: Look who's coming to town!" By Victor Matheson. Milken Institute Review, Second Quarter 2023, pp. 12-21
Explores the relationship between professional sports and gambling. Discusses the rise of legalized sports betting and divides the states into three groups: states where sports betting remains illegal (including Texas and California); states that allow casinos to operate sportsbooks on the premises; and states that allow online betting through computers and smartphone apps. Notes that sportsbooks are the biggest winners of sports betting, but that state governments have also benefitted financially.
See:https://www.milkenreview. ...

"Texas sues FWS over decision to list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act." By Brigit Rollins. The National Agricultural Law Center, March 30, 2023, pp. 1-5
Reports on the State of Texas' lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its recent decision to list two population segments of the lesser prairie-chicken as threatened and endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Gives an overview of the ESA, the long-standing debate over whether to list the lesser prairie-chicken, and the current lawsuit.
See:https://nationalaglawcent ...
Related information at:https://www.courtlistener ...
Related information at:https://www.federalregist ...

"Securing states: Modernizing to attract & retain cyber talent." By Casey Dolen and Meredith Ward. National Governors Association, March 2023, pp. 1-12
Notes workforce shortages hinder states' abilities to address their cybersecurity needs, including facing cybersecurity threats. Highlights existing state initiatives to recruit and hire candidates, and recommends actions states can take now to close the cybersecurity workforce gap.
See:https://www.nga.org/wp-co ...

"Industry, Texas sue over lesser prairie-chicken species rule." By Alan Kovski. Oil and Gas Journal, April 3, 2023, p. 23
Discusses federal lawsuits filed by industry associations and the State of Texas — Permian Basin Petroleum Association v. U.S. Department of the Interior and Texas v. U.S. Department of the Interior, respectively — related to the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s final rule addressing the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act.
Related information at:https://www.courtlistener ...
Related information at:https://www.courtlistener ...
Related information at:https://www.federalregist ...

"Castro seeking federal contracting equity." By W. Scott Bailey. San Antonio Business Journal, April 14-20, 2023, p. 7
Reports on the Expanding Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs Act, sponsored by U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) and five other representatives. Describes the proposed legislation, which seeks to remove barriers that have limited minority- and women-owned businesses from securing federally-assisted transportation contracts.
See:https://www.bizjournals.c ...
Related information at:https://www.congress.gov/ ...

"Texas PUC, ERCOT Sunset bill passes House, expedited after 2021 blackouts." By Brad Johnson. Texan, April 18, 2023, pp. 1-2
Describes the provisions of the Sunset bill on the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), HB 1500, 88th Legislature.
See:https://thetexan.news/tex ...

"Scoping out the best care." By Emma Freer. Texas Medicine, April 2023, pp. 30-32
Highlights efforts this legislative session to expand the scope of practice for a number of medical professions, contending that this type of legislation will not fix shortfalls in access to care. Argues that access to physician-led care should be preserved and programs should be expanded to address physician workforce shortages.
See:https://www.texmed.org/Te ...

"How the GOP learned to love big government." By Michael Hardy. Texas Monthly, May 2023, pp. 85-92
Discusses how the Texas Legislature and Governor Greg Abbott have worked to centralize their control and preempt local ordinances. Highlights fracking and election management as recent issues where local control has been restricted.
See:https://search.ebscohost. ...
See:https://www.texasmonthly. ...