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Week in Review, October 30th

Oct 30

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Examine the health care costs for people under 65 with employer-sponsored health insurance. (Health Care Cost Institute, October 2014)
  • Read about bicyclist safety. (Governors Highway Safety Association, October 2014)
  • Consider hospitals' struggles with potentially fatal infections acquired during a patient's hospital stay. (Kaiser Health News, October 21, 2014)
  • Compare unemployment rates during the recession to unemployment rates today, state by state. (Bloomberg Visual Data, September 30, 2014)
  • Explore voter turnout forecasts for the upcoming election. (Pew Research Center, October 29, 2014)
 
 

This entry was posted on October 30, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 676 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, October 23rd

Oct 23

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
 
 
 

This entry was posted on October 23, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 681 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, October 16th

Oct 23

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Consider a study on accessibility of jobs by transit. (Accessibility Observatory, University of Minnesota, October 9, 2014)
  • Read about the offline population and how much of the United States is offline. (The Washington Post, October 1, 2014)
  • Find out about how Ebola may affect pets. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, October 13, 2014)
  • Examine the energy and fuels outlook for the winter heating season. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, October 2014) 
  • Review information about Common Core state standards. (Congressional Research Service, September 15, 2014)
 
 

This entry was posted on October 23, 2014 at 9:31 AM and has received 348 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of October 27, 2014

Oct 22

posted by TexasLRL in 83rd Session, Interim hearings

Interim Hearings - Week of October 27th

Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.

October 27th Top

House Committee on County Affairs

Topics: Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program 1115 Waiver, mental health, diversion tools, issues affecting the local jail, indigent care

 

Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction

 

October 28th Top

Topic: Potential recommendations to the Legislature on topics discussed in previous hearings

 

Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

Charge: Operations of the Texas prison system with respect to medical and mental health care

 

October 29th Top

Senate Committee on Finance

Topic: Invited testimony from the Office of the Comptroller related to the state's major sources of revenue and tax structure

 

 

This entry was posted on October 22, 2014 at 12:09 PM and has received 1421 views. Print this entry.

New Texas Books in our Collection

Oct 15

posted by TexasLRL in LRL news

The library adds new books to its collection every week. Here are six Texas-themed books recently added.

Going to Texas: Five Centuries of Texas Maps, presented by the Center for Texas Studies at TCU (2007).
"These maps tell us much about the geography of Texas, but also about its economics, social milieu, history, politics, foreign policy and politics at given moments in history … In doing so, they provide a window into the things that make Texas unique." (Website)

Historic Texas: An Illustrated Chronicle of Texas' Past, by Archie P. McDonald (1996).
"This is a look at the events, the cultures, the well-known and perhaps not-so-well-known happenings, politics and actions that influenced the growth and changes that have become your area." (Website)

Texas: Mapping the Lone Star State Through History, by Vincent Virga and Don Blevins (2010).
"Combining 50 rare, beautiful, and diverse maps of Texas from the collections of the Library of Congress, informative captions about the origins and contents of those maps, and essays on Lone Star State history, this book is a collectible for cartography buffs and a celebration of state history for residents, former residents, and visitors." (Website) [Book does not circulate]

Notable Men and Women of Spanish Texas, by Donald E. Chipman and Harriett Denise Joseph (1999).
"By combining dramatic, real-life incidents, biographical sketches, and historical background, the authors bring to life famous (and sometimes infamous) people of Spanish Texas." (Website)

Texas: Crossroads of North America, by Jesús F. de la Teja, Paula Marks, and Ron Tyler (2004).
"Incorporating the latest scholarship, this text chronicles the development of the political, economic, and social identity of Texas through the unique insight of three authors. The thematically arranged text covers the full scope of Spanish exploration and colonization efforts, as well as the transformation of the Texas economy and society in the 20th century." (Website)

William Barret Travis: A Biography, by Archie P. McDonald (1995).
"[This book] is the first scholarly biography of the legendary Alamo commander … [It] is an in-depth study that searches for an understanding of Travis' character and multifaceted personality. The result is an exciting and entertaining, but above all contemplative analysis of Travis and the Texas War for Independence." (Website)

 

This entry was posted on October 15, 2014 at 2:32 PM and has received 1240 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of October 20, 2014

Oct 13

posted by TexasLRL in 83rd Session, Interim hearings

Interim Hearings – Week of October 20th
Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.

October 20th Top

Topic: Speaker's Strategic Fiscal Review Charge testimony regarding:

  • Trusteed Programs within the Office of the Governor
  • Department of Information Resources
  • State Law Library
  • Juvenile Justice Department
  • Department of Public Safety

House Committee on County Affairs 

Charge: Population growth and impact on housing, available land resources, businesses, and the state's economy

 

Charge: Health advisory panel from HB 3793, 83rd Legislature, R.S.

Charge: Oversight of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, jail issues including mental health

Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction, including counties' emergency response preparedness

 

October 22nd Top

Joint Legislative Committee on Human Trafficking

Prosecution of human trafficking, resources for victims of human trafficking, labor trafficking, and combating human trafficking.

 

October 23rd Top

Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations

 

Senate Committee on Jurisprudence

Charge: Failure to attend school (Section 25.094, Texas Education Code), adjudicating juvenile truancy as a civil offense

 

Charge: Deferred adjudication, orders for non-disclosure, and expunctions,  extending the use of expunction of criminal records history and non-disclosures

October 24th Top

House Committees on Agriculture & Livestock and Culture, Recreation & Tourism (Joint Hearing) 

Charge: Eradication of feral hogs

 

House Committees on Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Charge: Long-term plan to incorporate land donated or sold to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department into state park system

 

Charge: Texas Film Commission and the Texas Music Office and effectiveness in economic development

 

Charge: Economic impact of cultural, recreation, or tourism grants provided by the state, including any economic development grants related to cultural, recreational, or tourism industries, heritage tourism, courthouse restoration, and historic district revitalization 

 

Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction

 

This entry was posted on October 13, 2014 at 8:17 AM and has received 2125 views. Print this entry.

Capitol Spirits on Pinterest

Oct 10

posted by TexasLRL in Texas history

Our Capitol Spirits Pinterest board is back! During the month of October, we'll be adding new tales of ghostly hauntings and unfortunate events that occured in the Capitol building and surrounding area. Click below to view.
 
Cover image by Daniel Mingus.
 
 
 

This entry was posted on October 10, 2014 at 8:08 AM and has received 1091 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, October 9th

Oct 9

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Examine national standardized test results and what they may indicate. (College Board, October 7, 2014)
  • Discover new online resources for Latino students. (Education Week, October 2, 2014)
  • Review information about the Ebola virus and guidance from the CDC. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last updated October 7, 2014)
  • Consider the relationship between crime and imprisonment. (Pew Charitable Trusts, September 2014)
 
 

This entry was posted on October 9, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 488 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of October 13, 2014

Oct 6

posted by TexasLRL in 83rd Session, Interim hearings

Interim Hearings – Week of October 13th
Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.

October 13th Top

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Charge: Alignment between high school and freshman level college coursework, specifically mathematics (including Algebra II) and science courses

 

Charge: Use of dual credit coursework and other secondary school programs for college credit

 

Charge: Implementation of legislation, specifically, the following:

  • SB 414, 83rd Legislature, R.S. (2013), relating to a study and report regarding authorizing certain public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs to address regional workforce needs

  • SB 62, 83rd Legislature, R.S. (2013), relating to the vaccination against bacterial meningitis of entering students at public and private or independent institutions of higher education

               

  • SB 28, 82nd Legislature, R.S. (2011), relating to eligibility for a TEXAS grant and to administration of the TEXAS grant program

  • HB 1244, 82nd Legislature, R.S. (2011), relating to developmental education and the assessment of student readiness under the Texas Success Initiative and to students enrolled in developmental education at public institutions of higher education

 

October 14th Top

Joint Interim Committee on Education Policy for a Skilled Workforce

Charge: Career and technical education's impact on high school graduation, transitions to postsecondary education, industry-based certification, a postsecondary certificate, or an associate's degree

Charge: High school career and technical education, career exploration, and curricula that align with postsecondary programs and employer-based training

 

October 15th Top

House Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives

Topics: Financial tools, permitting process, key tax incentives, and needs for small businesses

House Committees on Land & Resource Management  and Urban Affairs (Joint Hearing, 10:30 A.M.)

Examine population growth in Texas and evaluate Texas' preparedness to respond to future growth and ensure economic stability

 

House Committee on Urban Affairs, 1:00 P.M.

Charge: Strategies to address chronic graffiti problem

 

Charge: Recommendations in report by Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services (TCCVS), homeless veterans

Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction

 

October 16th Top

House Committee on Public Education

Charge: School district governance, effective relationship between board and superintendent

Charge: Role of the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) in serving school districts
History of HCDE, Harris County Department of Education

 

 House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures

 Charge: Evaluate and consider cost-saving technologies and programs used by the Department of Licensing and Regulation to increase efficiencies and access to those with licensing occupations.

 Charge: Expand the right of individuals to challenge occupational licensing rules and regulations; identify occupational licenses that may not be necessary for public safety or health.

 Charge: Effect of HB 3038, 83rd Legislature, R.S. on multi-state auction companies, as well as business-to-business auctions.

 Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature.

 

This entry was posted on October 6, 2014 at 8:28 AM and has received 2076 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, October 2nd

Oct 2

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Examine how the U.S. Census Bureau arrives at figures on poverty and income disparities. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, September 11, 2014)
  • Examine non-candidate spending on political advertising in state elections. (The Center for Public Integrity, September 27, 2014)
  • Read a report on racial profiling and racial profiling laws. (NAACP, September 2014)
  • Explore Glasshouse Policy, a forum aimed at the political process in Texas. (Glasshouse Policy, accessed October 1, 2014)
 
 

This entry was posted on October 2, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 458 views. Print this entry.