In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Examine ways to address prescription drug pricing policy. (The Heritage Foundation, June 7, 2019)
- Consider whether your tax information is secure. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 11, 2019)
- See how Americans are accessing the internet. (Pew Research Center, June 13, 2019)
- Explore how telehealth can reach patients in rural and underserved areas. (National Conference of State Legislatures, May 30, 2019)
Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.
- "New psychiatric hospital seen as key to boosting care, saving money." By Will Anderson. Austin Business Journal, June 7, 2019, pp. 12-13.
Highlights SB2111, 86th Legislature, relating to the redevelopment of the Austin State Hospital campus, a key step to improving mental health treatment. Includes comment by Senator Kirk Watson. - "SNAP caseload and spending declines have accelerated in recent years." By Dorothy Rosenbaum and Brynne Keith-Jennings. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, June 6, 2019, pp. 1-20.
Examines the decline in participation and spending in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP], formerly food stamps, and possible contributing reasons factors of the improving economy and the three-month time limit on SNAP participation by childless adults without disabilities. Includes table of SNAP caseload changes by state, showing Texas with a 9.3 percent decrease in average monthly SNAP participants from 2013-2018. - "Supporting older youth beyond age 18: Examining data and trends in extended foster care." By Rachel Rosenberg and Samuel Abbott. Child Trends, June 2019, pp. 1-16.
Analyzes the effect of extended foster care, when youth stay in care past age 18 with additional services and supports, on important young adult outcomes, including high school graduation/GED, employment, school enrollment, homelessness, and young parenthood. Finds permanency rates are largely stable in states that have implemented extended foster care. - "As abortion battles intensify in states, misperceptions abound." By Samantha Laine Perfas and Jessica Mendoza. Christian Science Monitor, June 3, 2019, pp. 14-15.
Considers the abortion issue in terms of facts, context, and political rhetoric. - "Alternative energy — castles in the sky?" Economist, June 8th-14th, 2019, pp. 71-72.
Points out a new approach to generating electricity from the wind without the use of wind turbines. - "America First trade policy." Economist, June 8th-14th, 2019, pp. 65-66.
Points out how the Trump administration's trade policies are challenging the multilateral trade system. Discusses the consequences of weaponizing tariffs to effect change in other countries' trade policies. - "Charting the continued friction between K-12 spending, equity." By Alex Harwin and Sterling C. Lloyd. Education Week, June 5, 2019, pp. 10-12.
Analyzes federal data to grade how well states are doing with K-12 spending and the equitable distribution of school funds. Reports Texas received a grade of D+ on this year's Quality Counts school finance report card. - "Maximizing job creation bang-for-buck by reducing import leakages." By Josh Bivens. EPI Policy Memorandum, June 13, 2019, pp. 1-11.
Finds that ambitious investment in infrastructure and reducing the United States trade deficit that allows jobs to "leak" outside the economy will create thousands of additional manufacturing jobs in the United States, putting American manufacturing production on a more level playing field with global competitors. - "How accurate are net price calculators?" By Laura Perna and Jeremy Wright-Kim. Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, May/June 2019, pp. 8-9.
Finds that some net price calculators on college and university websites are difficult to locate, work inconsistently, and present information in ways that may mislead students and families on the expected cost of attendance. - "School counselors express concerns about college and career advising in Texas." By Hector Bojorquez. IDRA Newsletter (Intercultural Development Research Association), May 2019, pp. 1-2, 4.
Reports on preliminary findings from a study of how counselors view their roles, including the effects of the endorsement system of college or career pathways set up by 2013 legislation in Texas. - "The Permian's demographics." By Paula Dittrick. Oil and Gas Journal, June 3, 2019, p. 14.
Summarizes the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association's [TIPRO] 2019 Permian Basin Report, which looks at trends in the labor force, education, and population in a 61-county area known as the Permian Basin region. - "Oh deer." By Tate Watkins. Reason, July 2019, pp. 33-35.
Reviews the history of wildlife management in the United States. Considers how developing a legal market for venison could control the deer population, similar to the Texas program that allows harvesting of wild hogs. - "Education: Unlocking access." By Bennett G. Boggs and Lesley Kennedy. State Legislatures, May/June 2019, pp. 6-11.
Examines whether free college policies — known as promise programs — are making the grade. Points out six criteria successful promise programs should pursue. - "A disappointing end to eminent domain reform efforts." By Russell Boening. Texas Agriculture, June 7, 2019, p. 2.
Discusses SB421, 86th Legislature, relating to eminent domain reform in Texas, which stalled during the Texas Farm Bureau's attempts at compromising with the state's oil and gas industry. Mentions HB991, 86th Legislature. - "Who counts?" By Eric Benson. Texas Monthly, June 2019, pp. 54-60.
Discusses the 2020 census and efforts to ensure a complete count, especially in Hidalgo County. Examines the effect a citizenship question could have on participation and the repercussions of an undercount for Texas. Mentions Representative Cesar Blanco.
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.
