In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Read about Judge Brett Kavanaugh, nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court by President Trump. (Congressional Research Service, July 10, 2018)
- Explore this year's thought-provoking photography. (National Geographic, 2018)
- Avoid spreading invasive species throughout area lakes. (Texas Parks & Wildlife, accessed July 18, 2018)
- Consider some tips on swimming safety. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 5, 2018)
Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.
- "The politics of patriotism." By Doug Struck. Christian Science Monitor, July 9 & 16, 2018, pp. 24-30.
Considers the various definitions and meanings given to patriotism and what those might mean to people as they go about their daily lives. - "Universities are hotbeds of scholarship on mass incarceration. But are they doing enough to fix the problem?" By Marc Parry. Chronicle of Higher Education, July 6, 2018, pp. A14-A19.
Reviews historians' scholarship on mass incarceration. Highlights recent events at Harvard University that reflect both the challenges and possibilities of educating incarcerated students and students who are former inmates. - "Immigration policy: When good men do nothing." Economist, June 30th-July 6th, 2018, pp. 23-25.
Reviews the history of America's immigration system. Considers why repeated attempts at immigration reform have failed. - "Public transport: Missing the bus." Economist, June 23rd-29th, 2018, pp. 52-53.
Reports the demand for mass public transport in many affluent cities is declining. States public transport is unlikely to disappear, despite fierce competition from ride-hailing, cycling, and driving options. - "How Obama K-12 policies have fared under Trump." By Andrew Ujifusa. Education Week, June 20, 2018, p. 20.
Looks at which education policies initiated during the Obama administration have been "tossed out," are "on the hot seat," or are "safe for now" since President Trump took office. - "Arming teachers with guns?" By Matthew Choi. Fort Worth Business Press, July 2-8, 2018, pp. 11, 21, 23.
Discusses the recent unveiling of a high tech classroom at West Texas A&M University that will help prepare teachers for active shooting events. Features Virtual Emergency Operations Center Internet software, which enables the coordination between school districts, city services, and emergency responders. - "Blockchain & cryptocurrency – two roads converge." By Justin E. Hobson. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, July 2018, pp. 40-41.
Provides background and discusses the current regulatory environment of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. - "Fighting words." By Andrew Marantz. New Yorker, July 2, 2018, pp. 34-40, 42-43.
Explores how college campuses are balancing free speech rights with campus safety in an era when some speakers are intentionally provocative. Highlights the University of California, Berkeley's 2017 efforts to manage an event by Milo Yiannopoulos. - "Small systems: Solar energy powers remote water systems." By Craig Patterson, et al. Opflow, June 2018, pp. 24-26.
Describes an Environmental Protection Agency project in Puerto Rico that proved the viability of using solar energy to power small community water systems. - "Eight state commission chairs on state and future of power." Public Utilities Fortnightly, June 15, 2018, pp. 9-23, 46.
Provides short interviews with eight state utility commission chairs, including Chairman DeeAnn Walker from the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Discusses the future of the power industry. - "Did they forget the Alamo?" By W. Scott Bailey. San Antonio Business Journal, July 6, 2018, p. 4.
Questions how cuts to state funding to promote tourism in Texas will affect cities like San Antonio, which rely heavily on tourism dollars. - "Remodeling Medicaid." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, July 2018, pp. 16-21.
Shares success stories in implementing value-based payment models within managed care organizations in Texas Medicaid. - "Unmatched talent." By Sean Price. Texas Medicine, July 2018, pp. 22-26.
Considers alternative licensing programs for physicians who have not matched into residency training due to a shortage of residency positions. Notes that five states have passed legislation to create such programs. - "EIA pegs lowest fossil fuel consumption since 1994." Texas Public Power, June 2018, pp. 6, 9.
Highlights the Energy Information Administration's [EIA] recent findings that the electric power industry's consumption of fossil fuels in 2017 was the lowest since 1994. Related information at: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=33543.
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.
