• Consider the wind power industry and wind power capacity in the U.S. (U.S. Department of Energy, August 2013)
• Track how many Americans remain without health insurance. (Kaiser Health News, September 17, 2013)
• See cost of living statistics in different areas of the country. (Council of State Governments, September/October 2013)
• Explore antibiotic resistance. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 16, 2013)

This entry was posted on September 19, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 499 views. Print this entry.

• Explore a state-by-state interactive chart about the effect of the recession on teen driving. (Stateline, September 2, 2013)
• Examine the need for better skills and wages in the workforce of each state. (Center for Law and Social Policy, August 28, 2013)
• Consider employer-sponsored retirement plan participation rates for workers. (Employee Benefit Research Institute, August 2013)
• Read about recent outbreaks of measles and whooping cough in Texas. (Kaiser Health News / Texas Tribune, September 10, 2013)

This entry was posted on September 12, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 625 views. Print this entry.

The 2014 election will feature contests for at least six statewide offices, including governor. Texas has not seen such possible turnover in statewide office in 16 years, and the last open governor’s race was more than 20 years ago. (Read our blog post about past open races for Texas governor).

Several state legislators have announced they are running for statewide seats. Below is a list of declared candidates as of Sept. 10, 2013 who are current or former members. Click on the links to view information about each legislator, including terms of service.

Attorney General

• Rep. Dan Branch
• Sen. Ken Paxton

Commissioner of Agriculture

• Rep. Brandon Creighton

Comptroller of Public Accounts

• Sen. Glenn Hegar
• Rep. Harvey Hilderbran
• Former Rep. Raul Torres

Lieutenant Governor

• Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst
• Sen. Dan Patrick
• Former Sen. Jerry Patterson (current Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office)
• Former Sen. Todd Staples (current Texas Commissioner of Agriculture)

Railroad Commissioner

• Rep. Stefani Carter
• Former Rep. Wayne Christian
• Former Rep. Ray Keller

Did You Know?

2014 Election Dates of Note

• November 9, 2013: first day candidates for statewide office may file to be on the primary ballot
• December 9, 2013: filing deadline to be on the primary ballot
• March 4, 2014: primary election
• November 4, 2014: general election

This entry was posted on September 10, 2013 at 8:50 AM and has received 1250 views. Print this entry.

• Review a survey of school districts' health and nutrition policies. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 26, 2013)
• Map the Hispanic population throughout the country. (Pew Hispanic, August 29, 2013)
• Explore the United States Congress' previous declarations of war and authorizations of the use of force. (The Atlantic, August 31, 2013)
• See which states have had the strongest recoveries after the recession. (Stateline, September 4, 2013)

This entry was posted on September 5, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 536 views. Print this entry.

Young readers visiting the library can learn about Texas through our Young Texans Collection. The collection includes a variety of children’s books for every age level, from picture books to chapter books. Visitors can learn all about Texas, (“L is for Lone Star”), discover events in Texas history (“Voices of the Alamo”), and read about Texas politicians and historical figures (Martín de León, Barbara Jordan, and Sam Houston, among many others).

The collection is accessible any time the library is open, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also view the collection on Pinterest, where we’ve included notes about reading levels and brief summaries of the books.

This entry was posted on September 5, 2013 at 8:01 AM and has received 1469 views. Print this entry.

• See how states are handling the Miller v. Alabama decision about life without parole for juveniles. (Stateline, August 26, 2013)
• Read about the Texas Supreme Court's acceptance of two same-sex divorce cases, slated for argument in November. (The Supreme Court of Texas Blog, August 23, 2013)
• Search the Arizona v. California water litigation collection. (William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado Law School, accessed August 2013)
• Review a state-by-state chart of laws related to older drivers. (Governors Highway Safety Association, August 2013)
• Explore the relationship between the housing market crisis and the labor market crisis. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 2013)

This entry was posted on August 29, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 752 views. Print this entry.

The Texas Legislative Reference Library's Pinterest page, recipient of the Notable Online Resource award, uses the unique format of boards and pins to highlight books, photographs, art and other items that bring the Texas Legislature and its history into view. From historical 'tidbits' about the Texas Legislature to a full exhibit of state symbols, the page highlights a range of helpful information.

The Senate Research Center's Budget 101: A Guide to the Budget Process in Texas received a Notable Document on Fiscal Policy award. A useful primer on the biennial budget process in Texas, the guide provides a step-by-step description of what happens to the budget during the legislative session, and discusses the different agencies and offices involved in the process. In addition, the publication contains information on the current two-year budget, including when it was passed, total funding, and how funds were distributed by function.

This entry was posted on August 28, 2013 at 9:30 AM and has received 1130 views. Print this entry.

• Consider the effect of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on childhood poverty. (Economic Policy Institute, August 1, 2013)
• Explore new laws in four states, including Texas, that would allow trained school employees or volunteers to be armed on public school campuses. (Stateline, August 11, 2013)
• Examine variations in base premiums for individual health insurance coverage plans. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, July 23, 2013)
• Check out a photographic exhibit of the Texas Capitol. (Texas State Library and Archives Commission, July 24, 2013)

This entry was posted on August 22, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 633 views. Print this entry.

• Explore the possible economic impact of the Border Security, Economic Opportuniy, and Immigration Modernization Act. (Congressional Budget Office, June 18, 2013)
• Read about childhood obesity and ways to curb it. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2013)
• Review a survey of public pensions. (U.S. Census Bureau, Summer 2013)
• Consider suggested reforms to the criminal justice system in the United States. (U.S. Department of Justice, August 2013)

This entry was posted on August 15, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 510 views. Print this entry.

This entry was posted on August 13, 2013 at 4:36 PM and has received 2746 views. Print this entry.