In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Track economic and social mobility in America. (U.S. Census Bureau, October 1, 2018)
- Read about voter enthusiasm for the upcoming midterm election. (Pew Research Center, September 26, 2018)
- Consider whether current public opinion is in favor of gambling on sports. (The Weekly Standard, October 3, 2018)
- Check for downtown Austin street closures for upcoming events. (Downtown Alliance, accessed October 3, 2018)
Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.
- "Whose land is it?" By Simon Montlake. Christian Science Monitor, September 10, 2018, pp. 25-30.
Considers the tribal sovereignty claims brought forth in Royal v. Murphy, a current Oklahoma case before the United States Supreme Court, and the potential for claims by Native Americans across the country. Related information at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/17/17-1107/34619/20180206172951133_17-__PetitionForAWritOfCertiorari.pdf. - "Timing helped Texas resolve its statue controversy." By Cailin Crowe. Chronicle of Higher Education, September 21, 2018, p. A18.
Examines the removal of the Jefferson Davis statue from the University of Texas at Austin campus and its relocation to a permanent exhibit, "From Commemoration to Education" at the Briscoe Center for American History. Suggests this action might serve as a model for other schools. - "A university broke a promise to 62 students — and tested an entire profession's ideals." By Eric Hoover. Chronicle of Higher Education, September 28, 2018, pp. A12-A17.
Highlights the problem caused by the University of Texas at Tyler revoking scholarships to 62 Nepali students and how various counselors came together to find other scholarships for these students. - "Does too much credit recovery inflate graduation rates?" By Catherine Gewertz. Education Week, September 26, 2018, p. 6.
Details study on high school credit-recovery programs and their impact on graduation rates. - "Jeff Bezos' pre-K move sparks wary reactions." By Michele Molnar. Education Week, September 26, 2018, pp. 1, 10.
Discusses Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos' plan to launch and operate a network of "Montessori inspired" preschools in low-income neighborhoods. Addresses concerns of education experts. - "True impact of immigrant, Hispanic community relies on accurate 2020 Census." Houston Business Journal, September 13, 2018, p. 46.
Proposes that with the addition of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census questionnaire, immigrants may be wary of providing any information. Argues the importance immigrants have on the local Texas economy. - "Reducing maternal mortality in the United States." By Michael C. Lu. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), September 25, 2018, pp. 1237-1238.
Considers the challenge of addressing maternal mortality in the United States. Calls for analysis of every maternal death, ensuring quality and safety of maternity care, and working to improve women's health throughout their lives. - "State limits on property taxes hamstring local services and should be relaxed or repealed." By Iris J. Lav and Michael Leachman. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, October 2018, pp. 18-32.
Examines property tax revenue caps adopted in the states beginning in the 1970s, and the resulting reductions in funding for education and local government services. Focuses on property tax limits in four states: Michigan, Massachusetts, Oregon, and New York. - "Consider the dusky gopher frog." By Shawn Regan. National Review, October 1, 2018, pp. 18-19.
Reviews the history of the Endangered Species Act and discusses some of the land-use and recovering species issues being considered in attempts to modernize and reform the act. - "Mobile technology expands emergency water treatment options." By Rick Moro. Opflow, August 2018, pp. 8-9.
Identifies steps that facilities can take to respond effectively to an emergency situation. Includes an example of implementing a mobile water unit in Cisco, Texas, during flooding in 2016. - "The regressive effects of child-care regulations." By Ryan Bourne. Regulation (CATO Institute), Fall 2018, pp. 8-11.
Examines the unintended consequences of child-care policies that give little thought to prices, parental preferences for care, and the availability of care for the poor. - "Pulling equal weight." By Irin Carmon. Time, October 8, 2018, pp. 34-41.
Explores whether Sweden's model for gender equality is a plausible method for closing the gender gap in the United States.
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.
