In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Read about the leading causes of death in rural areas. (National Conference of State Legislatures, July 30, 2018)
- Explore the economic outlook for the United States. (Congressional Budget Office, August 13, 2018)
- Track hate and extremism throughout the country. (Anti-Defamation League, ©2018)
- Consider how Americans feel about getting news from major internet companies. (The Knight Foundation, ©2018)
Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.
- "Hard hitting." By Julianne Hill. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, August 2018, pp. 16-18.
Reports on litigation related to youth tackle football injuries. Notes several states have pulled or killed legislation proposing to ban the sport or prohibiting certain youth from participating in youth tackle football. - "Partial Medicaid expansions fall short of full Medicaid expansion with respect to coverage and access to care." By Jessica Schubel. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, August 13, 2018, pp. 1-10.
Discusses recent proposals for partial Medicaid expansion in Arkansas, Massachusetts, and Utah, using section 1115 demonstration waiver authority. - "One school's fight to keep racial equity." By Stacy Teicher Khadaroo. Christian Science Monitor, August 6, 2018, pp. 18-20.
Highlights City Garden Montessori, a charter school in St. Louis, and its mission to offer racial and economic diversity and an anti-bias, antiracist education. States it is one of 125 charter schools identified as "diverse by design" by the Century Foundation. Related information at: https://tcf.org/content/report/diverse-design-charter-schools/?agreed=1 - "Academic-freedom statement alarms U. of Texas professors and sets off debate on campus." By Lindsay Ellis. Chronicle of Higher Education, August 3, 2018, p. A27.
Highlights the argument over academic freedom carried out in court documents as part of the campus carry lawsuit brought by three University of Texas at Austin professors. - "Can a huge online college solve California's work-force problems?" By Karin Fischer. Chronicle of Higher Education, August 3, 2018, pp. A12-A15.
Discusses the new California initiative to provide a wholly online community college, aimed at working adults, with the potential to become the largest provider of distance education in the nation. Explains the entity will only offer certificates or credentials, and not degrees. Highlights other online programs, such as Western Governors University. - "Commercialising autonomous vehicles: Gently does it." Economist, August 4th-10th, 2018, pp. 57-58.
Highlights a six-month trial of self-driving minivans that began in Frisco, Texas this summer. Explains how startup Drive.ai, recognizing the limitations of today's technology, is making things simpler and safer by focusing on a limited area of the city and operating during daylight hours. - "Private equity: Healthy returns." Economist, July 28th-August 3rd, 2018, pp. 54-55.
Explains why private equity and institutional investors are expanding into the health care market. Notes budget constraints are making governments more open to private capital and public-private partnerships. - "Texas landowners subsidize pipelines and powerlines." By Isaac Perez. Houston Business Journal, August 16, 2018, p. 42.
Examines the efforts of several Texas organizations interested in reforming the eminent domain process. - "The health innovation we need." By Dave A. Chokshi. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), August 7, 2018, pp. 427-429.
Provides a broad view of health and health care innovation, with examples of possible innovations in the domains of care delivery, public health priorities, and the role of government. - "Why early childhood education matters and why we should pay for it." By Elizabeth U. Cascio. Milken Institute Review, Third Quarter 2018, pp. 13-23.
Identifies roadblocks to government support of early childhood education and care [ECEC]. Discusses the need to create more incentives for state and local funding of ECEC. - "The border at work." By Jerry Kammer. National Review, August 13, 2018, pp. 31-33.
Argues the immigration system will not improve until there is a commitment to worksite enforcement and creation of a worker-verification system impervious to fraud. - "Examining the costs of paid sick leave besides wages." By Tony Quesada. San Antonio Business Journal, August 10, 2018, p. 3.
Discusses the effects a mandatory city-wide sick leave ordinance would have on employers. - "FEMA to play long-term role in recovery from Harvey." By Rachel Brasier and Jesse Thompson. Southwest Economy (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), Second Quarter 2018, pp. 15-17, 20.
Provides an overview of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's [FEMA] role in Hurricane Harvey recovery thus far, through public assistance and hazard mitigation grants. Notes future FEMA involvement will shift to long-term flood infrastructure improvements, including the "coastal spine." - "Hurricane Harvey: One year later." By Sean Price. Texas Medicine, August 2018, pp. 18-23.
Describes the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the ensuing public health issues and mental health challenges. Notes that Harvey's full impact will not be known soon due to the lack of resources dedicated to evaluation. - "Hurricane Harvey: The way back." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, August 2018, pp. 24-29.
Identifies lessons learned by physicians as they work to recover from Hurricane Harvey, such as the importance of removing computer equipment when evacuating, backing up patient medical records, and investing in supplemental flood insurance. - "Port of no return." By Michael Barajas and Sophie Novak. Texas Observer, August/September 2018, pp. 22-29.
Examines how Port Arthur and its residents are recovering one year after the destruction of Hurricane Harvey. Argues that the recovery process is flawed and provides unequal recovery assistance to poor residents.
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.
