In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- See how different types of natural disasters affect different parts of the country. (The Washington Post, April 25, 2019)
- Find free online courses in law and legal topics. (Inner Temple Library, April 2019)
- Examine statistics about pregnancy-related deaths. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2019)
- Explore aspects of voter turnout for the 2018 midterm elections. (Pew Research Center, May 1, 2019)
Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.
- "Facecourt?" By Mark F. Walsh. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, May 2019, pp. 52-57.
Discusses Facebook's plans to create a judicial-like body to address controversial speech. Examines how this oversight board will function and how board members will be chosen. - "The next George Bush." By Elaine Plott. Atlantic Monthly, May 2019, pp. 22-25.
Profiles George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner, and discusses his role in the future of Republican politics. - "Craft breweries closer to winning on to-go sales." By Kimberly Reeves. Austin Business Journal, May 3, 2019, p. 15.
Discusses proposed legislation that would permit statewide sales of craft beer to go. Includes comments by Representative Eddie Rodriguez and mentions Representative Chris Paddie. - "Will Muny be saved?" By Daniel Salazar. Austin Business Journal, May 3, 2019, pp. 4-7.
Reports on efforts to protect Austin's historic Lions Municipal Golf Course from development. Mentions Senator Kirk Watson and SB2553, 86th Legislature, relating to the creation of the Save Historic Muny District. - "The US southern border, in numbers." By Henry Gass. Christian Science Monitor, April 15, 2019, pp. A8-A10, A12, A14.
Profiles Amarillo College's No Excuses Poverty Initiative which partners with the community to offer a wide array of support to students. Explains this program recognizes that poverty and not academic demands can pose the biggest barrier to student success in community colleges. - "Parsing prayer policies." By Liz Hayes. Church & State, May 2019, pp. 4-6.
Reports on governmental entities' struggles to comply with the 2014 United States Supreme Court decision, Town of Greece v. Galloway, which set new standards on government-sponsored invocations. - "Funding water infrastructure: How Texas pays for water." By Spencer Grubbs and Shannon Halbrook. Fiscal Notes, April 2019, pp. 7-10.
Reviews water infrastructure financing procedures and notable projects of the State Water Implementation Fund of Texas (SWIFT), passed in 2013 as a result of devastating droughts (SJR1 and HB4, 83rd Legislature, R.S.). - "How childhood has changed for tweens." By Phyllis L. Fagell. Phi Delta Kappan, April 2019, pp. 8-12.
Considers three ways in which childhood is different for 21st century adolescents. Discusses the effects of an increased use of technology, mental health challenges, and an awareness of identity issues. - "Can rooftop solar survive declining subsidies?: A case study in Louisiana." By Greg Upton. Public Utilities Fortnightly April 2019, pp. 52-54.
Summarizes a recent white paper from Louisiana State University's Center for Energy Studies. Provides a case study of recent policy changes in Louisiana regarding subsidies for solar energy installations. (Related document at: http://lpscstar.louisiana.gov/star/portal/lpsc/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=822f39ca-66c5-4b39-a5bd-e5c5b76dbcc1). - "Solar, a strategy for decarbonizing the grid and increasing resilience: For your consideration." By Joe Song and Sachu Constantine. Public Utilities Fortnightly, April 2019, pp. 48-51.
Explores how solar energy systems can help improve the electric grid. Points out the performance of commercial solar in the wake of Hurricane Florence. - "When gun control is censorship." By Zach Weissmueller. Reason, May 2019, p. 42-29.
Interviews Paloma Heindorff, the recently installed chief of Defense Distributed, the Austin-based company that gained notoriety by making a usable plastic handgun with a 3D printer. Presents her views on the company's ongoing legal battles dealing with digital gun-making. - "Warning signs." By Christopher Collins. Texas Observer, May/June 2019, pp. 12-19.
Investigates the high rate of suicide in rural Texas and the barriers to mental health care that are worsening the crisis. - "Contrasting costs." By Ali Anari. Tierra Grande, April 2019, pp. 2-5.
Investigates the high rate of suicide in rural Texas and the barriers to mental health care that are worsening the crisis. - "Public spending on infants and toddlers in six charts: A kids' share brief." By Julia B. Isaacs, et al. Urban Institute Brief, May 6, 2019, pp. 1-11.
Summarizes federal and state spending on infants and toddlers through programs and tax reductions. Finds lower levels of state and local spending on this age group.
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.
