In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.

• Check traffic all over the state. (Texas Department of Transportation, accessed January 25, 2023)
• Explore recent and older volumes of the Congressional Directory. (U.S. Government Printing Office, accessed January 25, 2023)
• Review income and wealth growth in the U.S. (Department of Economics, University of California, Berkeley, accessed January 25, 2023)
• Avoid scams on social media. (PCMag, January 17, 2023)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on January 26, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 526 views. Print this entry.

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our January 2023 New & Noteworthy list.

Check out and delivery of New & Noteworthy titles is available to legislative staff in Capitol and District offices. To arrange check out and delivery of any of these items, you can submit an online request through the New & Noteworthy page on our website or contact the library at 512-463-1252.

1. A Visitor's Guide to the Texas Legislature
By Texas Legislative Council
Provides a brief overview of the Texas Legislature and its purpose in state government. Describes the legislative process, the role of lawmakers in the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate, and the function of key figures in each chamber. Includes accessible bill-to-law flowcharts, a legislative glossary, and photographs of legislators in action.
Texas Legislative Council, 2023, 27 pages
L1400.5 V831G 2023

 

 

2. No Longer Welcome: The Epidemic of Expulsion from Early Childhood Education?
By Katherine M. Zinsser
Presents research on the prevalence and consequences of the expulsion of young children from early childhood education programs. Discusses the systemic issues that can lead to such expulsions, including adverse childhood experiences, a fragmented and expensive childcare system, and the emotional toll on educators from low pay and high student-to-teacher ratios. Warns that a post-COVID child-care system may be ripe for a spike in exclusionary discipline.
Oxford University Press, 2023, 174 pages
371.5 Z78N 2023

 

 

3. Can Legal Weed Win?: The Blunt Realities of Cannabis Economics
By Robin Goldstein and Daniel Sumner
Explores the history of the cannabis industry, with emphasis on legal developments over the last quarter century. Posits that in many cases licensing requirements, regulations, and taxes have hampered plans to replace the black market for marijuana with legal channels. Suggests how cannabis-related businesses can thrive and the possible futures of legal and illegal cannabis markets. Points out that the demand for cannabis in Texas, where medical use is limited and recreational use is prohibited, has increased sales across the state line in Oklahoma.
University of California Press, 2022, 211 pages
338.1 G624C 2022

 

 

4. Social Media, Freedom of Speech, and the Future of our Democracy
By Lee C. Bollinger and Geoffrey R. Stone, editors
Compiles a series of essays by legal experts addressing the issue of "bad" speech on the internet, such as hate speech, disinformation, and incitement to violence. Suggests policies to protect First Amendment rights while lessening the harm caused by "bad" speech online, including modifications to 47 U.S. Code § 230 - Protection for Private Blocking and Screening of Offensive Material. Includes an introductory essay outlining the current legal landscape on the regulation of social media.
Oxford University Press, 2022, 404 pages
342.730853 B692SO 2022

 

 

5. Women Across Time = Mujeres a Través del Tiempo: Sixteen Influential South Texas Women
By Susan L. Roberson, editor
Profiles the sixteen South Texas women represented in the public mural Mujeres a Través del Tiempo (Women Across Time) by Arnold Gonzáles Sr. housed on the campus of Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Examines the lives of ranchers, educators, politicians, artists, and others who served the community. Includes biographies of Former Representative Frances 'Sissy' Farenthold and Former Representative Irma Rangel.
Texas A&M University Press, 2022, 233 pages
976.4 R638W 2022

 

 

6. Electrify: An Optimist's Playbook for our Clean Energy Future
By Saul Griffith
Discusses the importance of shifting the United States from fossil-fuel to clean energy. Proposes adapting the national grid infrastructure to run on renewable sources, and updating houses and business with incentives similar to the Rural Electrification Act. Presents a plan with a combination of economics, politics, and engineering. Provides statistics and data from various states around the country to support the theory.
The MIT Press, 2021, 269 pages
333.793 G853EL 2021

 

 

This entry was posted on January 24, 2023 at 9:10 AM and has received 1572 views. Print this entry.

In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.

• Access budget-related documents for the 88th legislative session. (Legislative Budget Board, accessed January 18, 2023)
• Try a mapping tool that can identify suitable areas for energy-related projects. (U.S. Department of Energy, accessed January 18, 2023)
• Find where to dispose of controlled substances such as unused prescription medications. (U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, accessed January 18, 2023)
• Read about the persistent gender wage gap. (University of Chicago, January 2023)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on January 19, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 509 views. Print this entry.

In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.

• Review the 2024-25 Biennial Revenue Estimate. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, January 9, 2023)
• Consider how employers use job titles to avoid paying overtime wages. (National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper, January 2023)
• Explore weather disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion from 1980 through 2022. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, January 10, 2023)
• Read about full-time equivalent state employees for fiscal year 2022. (State Auditor's Office, December 2022)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on January 12, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 597 views. Print this entry.

At the beginning of each session, the Legislative Services Fair provides an opportunity for all members and their staff to learn more about the services each legislative agency offers.

This year, the fair will be held on the following dates in the Legislative Reference Library, Capitol, 2N.3:

Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 2PM – 4PM
Tuesday, January 24, 2023, from 10AM – Noon

Staff from the following legislative agencies will be in attendance:

• Legislative Budget Board
• Texas Legislative Council
• Legislative Reference Library
• State Auditor's Office
• Sunset Advisory Commission
• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)

Please drop by the fair to learn more about how these legislative agencies can assist your office during the 88th Legislature!

You might come away with more than information — we will have selected publications and other items to give away.

This entry was posted on January 11, 2023 at 3:00 PM and has received 602 views. Print this entry.

Below you'll find a preview of the 88th Texas Legislature. New members and returning members will be sworn in on January 10, 2023, the opening day of the regular session. A list of members-elect of the 88th Legislature is available on the LRL's website.

 

Summary of the 88th Legislature

 

PARTY	HOUSE	SENATE	OVERALL
Total	150	31	181
Democrat	64	12	76
Republican	86	19	105

 

GENDER	HOUSE	SENATE	OVERALL
Total	150	31	181
Male	104	23	127
Female	46	8	54

 

INCUMBENCY*	HOUSE	SENATE	OVERALL
Total	149*	30*	179
Incumbents	123*	25*	149
Freshmen	26	5	31

*Incumbent totals include members who served the previous session. Freshman totals include members whose first term begin the first day of session: 01/10/2023. Not included as incumbent or freshman: Representative John Bryant (first served in 63rd–67th sessions) and Senator Pete Flores (first served in 85th–86th sessions).

 

 

New Members of the 88th Legislature

 

Texas House of Representatives

HOUSE DISTRICT	NEW MEMBER
92		Salman Bhojani (D)
114		John Bryant (D)
63		Benjamin Bumgarner (R)
127		Charles Cunningham (R)
133		Mano DeAyala (R)
122		Mark Dorazio (R)
51		Lulu Flores (D)
61		Frederick Frazier (R)
124		Josey Garcia (D)
17		Stan Gerdes (R)
52		Caroline Harris (R)
57		Richard Hayes (R)
73		Carrie Isaac (R)
100		Venton Jones (D)
85		Stan Kitzman (R)
76		Suleman Lalani (D)
23		Terri Leo-Wilson (R)
37		Janie Lopez (R)
22		Christian Manuel (D)
13		Angelia Orr (R)
70		Mihaela Plesa (D)
93		Nate Schatzline (R)
84		Carl H. Tepper (R)
65		Kronda Thimesch (R)
19		Ellen Troxclair (R)

New HOUSE members = 26

 

Texas Senate

SENATE DISTRICT	NEW MEMBER
24		Pete Flores (R)
10		Phil King (R)
27		Morgan LaMantia (D)
11		Mayes Middleton (R)
12		Tan Parker (R)
31		Kevin Sparks (R)

New SENATE members = 6

TOTAL new members = 32

Membership statistics for previous sessions are available on the library's Member statistics page.

This entry was posted on January 9, 2023 at 3:25 PM and has received 2313 views. Print this entry.

In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.

• Search for current and historical Office of Legal Counsel opinions. (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel, accessed January 4, 2023)
• Read about ways to mitigate light pollution. (The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, ©2022)
• Review information related to making appointments to renew a driver's license. (Texas Department of Public Safety, ©2023)
• Peruse a list of government documents mentioned in news stories throughout 2022. (Government Documents Round Table (GODORT), updated January 4, 2023)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on January 5, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 414 views. Print this entry.

Sunset Advisory Commission, January 11
Consideration and possible action on the recommendations for the following agencies:

• River Authorities
  • Lavaca-Navidad River Authority
  • Upper Guadalupe River Authority
  • San Jacinto River Authority
  • Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District
• Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and Office of State-Federal Relations
• Anatomical Board of the State of Texas
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
• Public Utility Commission of Texas
• Electric Reliability Council of Texas
• Office of Public Utility Counsel

Staff presentation of options to address systemic issues at the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and consideration and possible action on those options

Final vote on commission recommendations to the 88th Legislature
Status report on Implementation of 2021 Sunset Recommendations

This entry was posted on January 4, 2023 at 3:45 PM and has received 471 views. Print this entry.