In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Explore agricultural activity in America. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, April 11, 2019)
- Examine recent statistics related to school crime and safety. (National Center for Education Statistics, April 2019)
- Consider how access to special education varies by state. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, April 2019)
- See how Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas have become some of the most populous in the nation. (U.S. Census Bureau, April 18, 2019)
Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.
- "How much immigration is too much?" By David Frum. Atlantic Monthly, April 2019, pp. 64-74.
Argues effective immigration policy can make the United States a stronger, richer country for newcomers and long-settled citizens. Suggests replacing the current patchwork of policies with a new policy focusing on reducing immigration and selecting immigrants more carefully. - "Going green: Marijuana policy impacts on state budgets." By Lisa McKinney. Capitol Ideas, Issue 1 2019, pp. 14-15.
Describes the marijuana legalization process in Massachusetts and Colorado and the increased tax revenue to state budgets. Notes a recent analysis by New Frontier Data showing a full federal legalization of marijuana would generate $108 billion over seven years. - "Three new ways for Congress to legalize illegal immigrants." By Alex Nowrasteh and David J. Bier. CATO Briefing Papers, April 10, 2019, pp. 1-6.
Offers innovative proposals that overcome some of the political objections to granting legal status to illegal immigrants: tiered legalization, rolling legalization, and amnesty with limited family sponsorship. - "The revival of 'made in the USA'." By Laurent Belsie. Christian Science Monitor, April 8, 2019, p. 1.
Highlights the rise in manufacturing jobs under the Obama and Trump administrations in terms of whether the momentum will continue and how tariffs might affect these jobs. - "Teaching or preaching?" By Rob Boston. Church & State, April 2019, pp. 10-13.
Examines school district curricula for Bible literacy classes. Finds that state legislation often outlines evangelistic goals, making objective instruction elusive. Mentions HB1287, 80th Texas Legislature, relating to the academic study of the Bible in public schools. (Report at: http://a.tfn.org/site/DocServer/TFNEF_ReadingWritingReligionII.pdf?docID=3481) - "Will home sales prices become public?" By Kimberly Reeves. Dallas Business Journal, April 12, 2019, p. 2.
Discusses HB1036, 86th Legislature, relating to mandatory sales price disclosure in real property sales. Includes comments by Representatives Michelle Beckley and Trey Martinez Fischer. - "Abortion controls: In a heartbeat." Economist, April 13th-19th, 2019, p. 27.
Examines whether the rush of state-level heartbeat bills will achieve pro-lifers' goal — getting the United States Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue and using one of these bills to overturn Roe v. Wade. - "Teaching migrant children." By Kavitha Cardoza. Education Week, April 10, 2019, pp. 12-16.
Addresses the impact of migrant children, who have sought asylum in the United States, on public schools. Profiles several migrant students and their experiences in public schools across the nation, including Texas. - "Little public support for reductions in federal spending." By Pew Research Center. Internet Resource, April 11, 2019, pp. 1-29. (Note lenth)
Reports findings from a Pew Research Center survey on federal spending across thirteen government program areas. Analyzes partisan differences in spending increases and the size and scope of the federal government. - "Parsing the waters." By Charles N. Herrick. Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2019, pp. 77-83.
Provides a history of federal legislation related to the reclamation and protection of wetlands. Discusses recent changes to domestic wetlands policy and provides recommendations for future legislation and management.
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.
