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

• Stay updated on the current wildfire situation in the state. (Texas A&M Forest Service, updated Monday through Friday)
• Read about election worker safety. (Congressional Research Service, June 21, 2023)
• Review recent statistics on pedestrian deaths. (Governors Highway Safety Association, June 22, 2023)
• Explore the modernized ClinicalTrials.gov. (National Library of Medicine, accessed June 23, 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 June 29, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 524 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore the effects of social media challenges on car thefts. (USAFacts. Updated May 26, 2023)
• Consider the decline in scores for reading and mathematics assessments of thirteen-year-olds. (National Assessment of Educational Progress, June 21, 2023)
• Review hurricane preparedness tips. (Texas General Land Office, accessed June 21, 2023)
• Read about missing and trafficked children under DFPS conservatorship. (Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, May 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 June 22, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 714 views. Print this entry.

Sunday, June 18, 2023 was the last day the governor could sign or veto an enrolled bill from the 88th Regular Session. If neither action was taken, the bill became law without his signature.

88th Legislature, R.S., Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 20, 2023, at 4 p.m.

To see how these statistics have changed, please view our previous bill statistics blog posts:

• Bill Statistics, Two Weeks After Sine Die, June 12, 2023
• Updated Bill Statistics, June 5, 2023
• What's Next? Post-Session FAQ and Bill Statistics, 88th R.S.
• Bill Statistics, 133rd Day, 88th R.S.
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 15, 2023
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 8, 2023
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 1, 2023

You can also view lists of bills by the governor's action on Texas Legislature Online (TLO).

1. On TLO's homepage, click on the "Reports" link under Additional Searches.

 

2. Then click on the "General Reports" tab to see the lists of bills by the governor's action.

This entry was posted on June 22, 2023 at 12:35 PM and has received 1264 views. Print this entry.

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our June 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. The Science of Gun Policy: A Critical Synthesis of Research Evidence on the Effects of Gun Policies in the United States
By Rosanna Smart, et al.
Examines what the scientific literature reveals about the likely impact of various gun laws. Analyzes the effects of eighteen types of state firearm policies on firearm deaths, violent crime, suicides, the gun industry, defensive gun use, and other outcomes. Presents a series of conclusions and recommendations relating to safe gun storage laws, stand your ground laws, permitless carry, background checks, minimum age of purchase, and other firearm policies. Note: This report is part of the RAND Corporation’s Gun Policy in America initiative.
RAND, 2023, 427 pages
363.33 SM636S 2023

 

 

2. The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic
By Stephen I. Vladeck
Analyzes the U.S. Supreme Court's increased usage of their emergency docket, also known as the shadow docket. Reviews the history of the Court's authority and the procedures for expediting emergency cases that do not require oral arguments and often result in unsigned and unexplained orders. Examines recent cases and policies addressed in the shadow docket, including COVID mandates, immigration, and abortion. Discusses the Court’s treatment of the case involving SB 8, 87th Legislature, R.S., the Texas Heartbeat Act.
Basic Books, 2023, 334 pages
347.73 V865 2023

 

 

3. Steeped in a Culture of Violence: Murder, Racial Injustice, and Other Violent Crimes in Texas, 1965-2020
By Brandon T. Jett and Kenneth W. Howell, editors
Compiles a collection of essays that examines the culture of violence in Texas along with the social and political responses to violent events from 1965 to 2020. Presents case studies of brutality against racial minorities, the LGBTQ community, and intimate partners, as well as gang violence and mass shootings. Offers insight regarding the underlying causes of violent crime and how to mitigate it.
Texas A&M University Press, 2023, 266 pages
364.152 J58ST 2023

 

 

4. We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America
By Roxanna Asgarian
Investigates the murder-suicide of the Hart family, consisting of Jennifer and Sarah Hart, as well as their six adopted children from Texas. Offers an in-depth examination regarding the lack of action concerning the child abuse allegations against the adoptive parents. Advocates for reform of the foster care system and addresses relevant federal and Texas foster care and child welfare laws.
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023, 297 pages
364.152 AS818W 2023

 

 

5. For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America
By Jonathan D. Cohen
Presents a history of state run lotteries since 1964 through late twentieth century American political, religious, and economical perspectives. Posits that the rise of state lotteries in the modern era arose from the allure of tax-free revenue to state legislatures. Examines the role of advertising on promoting the industry to communities in lower income and African American neighborhoods.
Oxford University Press, 2022, 281 pages
795.3 C678F 2022

 

 

6. Impeached: The Removal of Texas Governor James E. Ferguson
By Jessica Brannon-Wranosky and Bruce A. Glasrud, editors
Collects a series of essays exploring the historical context of the 1917 impeachment of Governor James E. "Pa" Ferguson, including his relationships with The University of Texas, prohibition, women’s suffrage, and the Texas Press. Reflects on the role of the Texas legislature and the impact of the impeachment on Texas state politics over the following century. Presents contextualized primary source documents such as Ferguson's Texas Farm Tenant Law, annotated by scholars to allow a better understanding of the ideas and groups surrounding the impeachment of Ferguson.
Texas A&M University Press, 2017, 202 pages
342.764 B735I 2017

 

 

This entry was posted on June 20, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 3221 views. Print this entry.

Sunday, June 18, 2023, is the last day the governor can sign or veto an enrolled bill. If neither action is taken, the bill becomes law without his signature.

88th Legislature, R.S., Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 13, 2023, at 8:45 a.m.

Previous bill statistics posts:

• Updated Bill Statistics, June 5, 2023
• What's Next? Post-Session FAQ and Bill Statistics, 88th R.S.
• Bill Statistics, 133rd Day, 88th R.S.
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 15, 2023
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 8, 2023
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 1, 2023

This entry was posted on June 13, 2023 at 11:25 AM and has received 1159 views. Print this entry.

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

• Review how the Air Quality Index works. (AirNow.gov, accessed June 7, 2023)
• Consider teachers’ views on school safety. (RAND Corporation, ©2023)
• Read a report on the security risks of drug shortages. (U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, March 2023)
• Search the General Land Office’s Land Grants database. (Texas General Land Office, accessed June 7, 2023)
• See what some states have done to reduce property taxes. (National Conference of State Legislatures, May 18, 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 June 8, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 482 views. Print this entry.

Sunday, June 18, 2023, is the last day the governor can sign or veto an enrolled bill. If neither action is taken, the bill becomes law without his signature.

88th Legislature, R.S., Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 5, 2023, at 10:50 a.m.

Previous bill statistics posts:

• What's Next? Post-Session FAQ and Bill Statistics, 88th R.S.
• Bill Statistics, 133rd Day, 88th R.S.
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 15, 2023
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 8, 2023
• Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 1, 2023

This entry was posted on June 5, 2023 at 3:20 PM and has received 1096 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore digitized sound recordings of the U.S. Supreme Court. (National Archives and Records Administration, May 30, 2023)
• Consider issues related to the use of generative AI such as ChatGPT. (Electronic Privacy Information Center, May 2023)
• Read about the newspaper industry and how it has contracted with the advent of online news platforms. (Congressional Research Service, May 24, 2023)
• Review swimming safety tips for summer. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 19, 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 June 1, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 423 views. Print this entry.