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Current Articles & Research Resources, October 25

Oct 25

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community. 

  • Examine redistricting laws state by state. (National Conference of State Legislatures, October 1, 2018)
  • Review protections from financial harm for older consumers. (Federal Trade Commission, October 18, 2018)
  • Consider the drawbacks of medical crowdfunding. (Health Affairs Blog, October 23, 2018)
  • Explore the national shortage of poll workers. (Stateline, October 22, 2018)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252. 

  • "Prescription for profit." By Jen Skerritt. Business Week, October 15, 2018, p. 17.
    Points out that several countries have legalized medical marijuana. Observes that pharmaceutical companies are exploring ways that medical marijuana could curb the use of opiates or replace opiates for pain management.
  • "Expanding access to health care, from bedside to webside." By Debra Miller. Capitol Ideas, September/October 2018, pp. 24-26.
    Describes four types of current telehealth applications: live video, store-and-forward, remote patient monitoring, and mobile health.
  • "After #MeToo, state legislatures make changes." By Rebecca Asoulin. Christian Science Monitor, October 8, 2018, pp. 18, 20.
    Charts the progress state legislatures have made in protections against sexual misconduct through enhanced training, improved policies, or legislation.
  • "AT&T's service for first responders sees strong demand as effort ramps up." By Brian Womack. Dallas Business Journal, October 12, 2018, p. 28.
    Discusses AT&T's role in building FirstNet, America's first nationwide public safety broadband network. Related information at: https://firstnet.gov/.
  • "Democratic policies: Universal pictures." Economist, October 13th-19th, 2018, pp. 27-28.
    Considers whether Medicare could become a workable single-payer system for all health insurance claims. Notes the obstacles, including lack of agreement as to what Medicare for all actually means.
  • "Long-term obligations and the Texas Legacy Fund." Fiscal Notes, September-October 2018, pp. 1-16.
    Provides an overview of Texas' long-term financial obligations in state employee pensions (ERS), health care benefits for retired teachers and TRS-Care solvency, prepaid tuition, and deferred maintenance on state buildings. Proposes creation of an endowment fund from a portion of the Economic Stabilization Fund ("Rainy Day Fund"), to be known as the Texas Legacy Fund, which would be used for investment in higher returns and to retire long-term obligations.
  • "Assessing the impact of state policies for prescription drug monitoring programs on high-risk opioid prescriptions." By Yuhua Bao, et al. Health Affairs, October 2018, pp. 1596-1604.
    Analyzes three approaches to state policies on prescription drug monitoring programs [PDMPs]. Supports comprehensive use mandates and delegate laws to optimize prescribers' use of PDMPs.
  • "Harvard's discrimination problem." By Robert Verbruggen. National Review, October 15, 2018, pp. 34-36.
    Reviews the legal reasoning in Fisher v. University of Texas and similar United States Supreme Court cases. Describes some of the legal arguments and principles that come into play in the case currently in federal district court dealing with whether Harvard University is disfavoring Asian Americans, an overrepresented minority group. Related information at: https://www.clearinghouse.net/detail.php?id=14188.
  • "Melting pot or civil war?" By Reihan Salam. National Review, October 15, 2018, pp. 23-26.
    Argues the United States immigration system needs a greater emphasis on skill-based immigration and lesser emphasis on extended family ties. Suggests that is the only way to build a middle-class, multiracial community and egalitarian economy.
  • "Waters of U.S. rule blocked in Texas, two other states." By Justin Walker. Texas Agriculture, October 5, 2018, p. 33.
    Reports that the Waters of the United States [WOTUS] rule has been blocked by a federal judge for Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Explains that WOTUS allows the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate ponds, streams, and other bodies of water on private land.
  • "EPA proposed to replace Clean Power Plan with new rule." By Paul Ciampoli and Ethan Howland. Texas Public Power, September 2018, pp. 3, 6, 9.
    Discusses the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule to replace the Clean Power Plan. Includes the American Public Power Association's response, as well as a summary of a report, addressing this proposal. Report at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-08/documents/utilities_ria_proposed_ace_2018-08.pdf. Related information at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-08-31/pdf/2018-18755.pdf.

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

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