1. Identified with Texas: The Lives of Governor Elisha Marshall Pease and Lucadia Niles Pease
By Elizabeth Whitlow
Presents a dual biography of former Texas Governor Elisha Marshall Pease and his wife Lucadia Niles Pease. Explores their professional and personal lives from 1812-1905, including Pease's years in Texas’ first three Legislative sessions, his two terms as Governor, life in Austin during the Civil War, and his gubernatorial appointment during Reconstruction. Highlights Lucadia's independent travels and marriage to Pease, noting she considered herself a "women's rights woman" and supported her daughter's desire to attend college.
University of North Texas Press, 2022, 432 pages
976.4 W613ID 2021

 

2. 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

 

3. Growing Up in the Lone Star State: Notable Texans Remember Their Childhoods
By Gaylon Finklea Hecker and Marianne Odom
Presents 47 oral history interviews describing Texas in the early twentieth century: detailing how growing up in the Lone Star State benefited the interviewees. Recalls tales about the Great Depression, the two world wars, former slave colonies and sharecropper fields, the modern growth of major cities, the race to the moon, and a variety of other topics. Includes interviews with Representative Senfronia Thompson, former Representative Sarah Weddington, Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ruth Simmons, Dan Rather, Lady Bird Johnson, and Richard Overton.
Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin, 2021, 442 pages
976.4 H449G 2021

 

4. Reverberations of Racial Violence: Critical Reflections on the History of the Border
By Sonia Hernandez and John Moran Gonzalez, editors
Compiles a series of essays inspired by the 1919 Joint Committee to Investigate the Ranger Force, which addressed the violence committed against Mexican-Americans by Texas Rangers. Explores the historical context surrounding the Ranger investigation, the life of Brownsville Representative José Tomás Canales (whose activism led to the investigation), and how the history of violence against Texans of Mexican descent has been rediscovered by a new generation of historians, writers, and filmmakers.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 310 pages
363.209764 H557R 2021

 

5. George T. Ruby: Champion of Equal Rights in Reconstruction Texas
By Carl H. Moneyhon
Profiles George T. Ruby, one of the most widely known of the first generation of Black politicians in Texas. Chronicles Ruby's emergence as a political leader, Radical Republican and delegate to the Constitution Convention of 1868, and his election to the Texas State Senate in 1869. Details his legislative priorities in the Texas Senate and his efforts to ensure the protection of basic civil rights of African Americans.
Center for Texas Studies and TCU Press, 2020, 413 pages
976.4 M742G 2020

 

6. Releasing the Butterfly: A Love Affair in Four Acts
By Max Sherman
Describes the decades-long love story and marriage of former Texas Senator Max Sherman and his wife, Gene Alice. Explores how the couple learned to navigate their life together as equals while he served as a member of the Texas Senate, president of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, and Dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. Provides stories of their shared adventures, Texas politics, and ultimately, how they faced Gene Alice's struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Max Sherman, 2020, 270 pages
920 SH553R 2020

 

7. Texas Supreme Court Justice Bob Gammage: A Jurisprudence of Rights and Liberties
By John C. Domino
Examines Justice Bob Gammage's service on the Texas Supreme Court during a tumultuous period of judicial history (1991-1995), including the debate on judicial campaigns and contributions, changes in the partisan and ideological composition of Texas courts, and the birth of the judicial reform movement. Discusses Gammage's terms in the Texas Legislature from the 62nd through 64th Legislatures (1971-1976), particularly his role in the Constitutional Convention of 1974.
Lexington Books, 2020, 273 pages
347.764 D671T 2020

 

8. In This Land of Plenty: Mickey Leland and Africa in American Politics
By Benjamin Talton
Explores the life and career of Congressman and former Texas Representative George Thomas "Mickey" Leland. Notes the beginning of Leland's political career in the Texas Legislature and his advocacy for what he called the "People's Bills," before he went on to succeed Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in the U.S. House of Representatives. Focuses on Leland's leadership in bringing an African American perspective to U.S. politics, including his influence on developing foreign policy toward Africa, promoting humanitarianism, and eradicating world hunger.
University of Pennsylvania Press, 2019, 281 pages
328.73 T149L 2019

 

9. The Meanest Man in Congress: Jack Brooks and the Making of an American Century
By Timothy McNulty and Brendan McNulty
Profiles former Congressman and Texas Representative Jack Brooks, a Democrat who served in the 50th and 51st Texas legislatures and the U.S. House of Representatives from 1953 through 1995. Describes his life, from his upbringing in Beaumont and enlistment in World War II to his political career under ten U.S. presidents. Highlights Brooks' influence as a member of the Texas congressional delegation, his leadership roles on congressional committees and subcommittees, his insistence on government oversight, and his successes in passing bipartisan legislation. Describes his candid manner and demanding methods which earned him the (mostly complimentary) reputation of being the "Meanest Man in Congress." Details his roles in advancing LBJ's Great Society, the impeachment of Nixon, and investigating the Iran-Contra Affair.
NewSouth Books, 2019, 576 pages
328.73092 M235M 2019

 

10. Women's Suffrage in Texas: Struggle, the Story: Successes, Notable Firsts: Senators, Women of the Texas Senate
By Texas Senate
Reflects on the legislative efforts, struggle for suffrage, and achievements of women in Texas in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. Provides brief biographies of significant women in Texas, including former and current Texas Senators. Notes that since the first woman was elected to a statewide office a century ago, Texas women have served at every level of state and local government.
Texas Senate, 2019, 63 pages
L1803.8 W842 2019

 

11. The Grand Duke from Boys Ranch
By Bill Sarpalius
Presents the compelling life story of Lithuanian American Bill Sarpalius, former U.S. Congressman and Texas Senator, who overcame extreme adversity in his youth before embarking on a path of public service. Recounts how his experience at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch changed the trajectory of his life and ultimately led him into state, national, and international politics. Details his many political causes including the launch of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Addiction (in memory of his mother), and the fight for Lithuania's freedom from the Soviet Union, for which he was named a "Grand Duke."
Texas A&M University Press, 2018, 322 pages
328.73 S71G 2018

 

12. Minority Civil Rights and the Texas Legislature
By Secretary of Senate and Senate Engrossing & Enrolling
Surveys the history of racial intolerance toward minorities and the evolution of civil rights in Texas. Details how African American and Hispanic representation in the Texas Legislature has changed through the years. Profiles Texas lawmakers and leaders and their contributions to racial equality. Includes a selection of contemporary and historic photographs and artwork.
Senate Publications and Printing, 2018, 22 pages
L1803.8 M667 2018

 

13. Owning My S.H.I.T!: Suffering Hardship Internalizing Trauma
By Jolanda "Jo" Jones
Recounts the challenging experiences of Representative Jolanda "Jo" Jones and how she was able to overcome what she details as Suffering of Hardships while Internalizing Trauma (S.H.I.T!). Describes her journey to become a successful attorney, politician, author, and activist. Shares her transformation so that others may have a roadmap to identify, accept, and work through adversities to achieve positive change in their own lives.
Shekinah Publishing Services, 2018, 191 pages
328.764 J76OW 2018

 

14. Speaker Jim Wright: Power, Scandal, and the Birth of Modern Politics
By J. Brooks Flippen
Examines the life and political career of Jim Wright, beginning in the Texas House of Representatives and culminating as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Draws on personal papers and interviews with Wright and others. Suggests his political downfall was brought about by poor personal choices, a dictatorial leadership style, and the "devolution of political civility" that is even more prevalent today.
University of Texas Press, 2018, 400 pages
328.73 F648S 2018

 

15. The Dukes of Duval County: The Parr Family and Texas Politics
By Anthony Carrozza
Examines the Parr family dynasty that swayed local and state elections primarily in Duval County but also across South Texas for over half a century. Documents how the Parrs, including former Texas Senator Archie Parr, rose to prominence from wealthy land owners to county and state officials who influenced Texas politics, including the election of Lyndon B. Johnson to the U.S. Senate. Explores how the Parr family was able to use its power and influence to avoid jail terms and justice until its regime ended in the 1970s.
University of Oklahoma Press, 2017, 427 pages
976.4 C237D 2017

 

16. Tejano Tiger: José de los Santos Benavides and the Texas-Mexico Borderlands, 1823-1891
By Jerry Thompson
Presents an in-depth study of Representative Santos Benavides, considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of Laredo, Texas. Traces his military and political career with the Republic of Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and finally in the State of Texas, where he became the highest ranking Tejano in the Confederate army and later a member of the Texas Legislature. Describes his devotion to the Texas border (as the only Tejano in the Texas Legislature in 1879) and his tireless work to raise the economic and political status of the region. Concludes that with his unique status as a friend and confidant of two Mexican presidents, and his influence in the Texas Legislature, he was one of the single most influential individuals in the history of the border.
TCU Press, 2017, 412 pages
976.4 T374T 2017

 

17. Bill Ratliff: A Profile of Courage and Leadership in American Politics
By Robert Edward Sterken Jr.
Highlights the factors that led former Senator and Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff to be known for his integrity and the philosophy that "nothing is politically right that is morally wrong." Considers his work on education, tort reform, and redistricting to show why he was called Obi-Wan Kenobi by his peers and named recipient of the 2005 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
Lexington Books, 2016, 218 pages
328.73092 ST45B 2016

 

18. Homer Thornberry: Congressman, Judge, and Advocate for Equal Rights
By Homer Ross Tomlin
Examines the life of Homer Thornberry, who began his long career in public service with a stint in the Texas Legislature while still in law school. Documents his life in Congress and on the federal bench, and his strong stands for racial justice.
TCU Press, 2016, 222 pages
347.73 T596H 2016

 

19. Mexican American Baseball in South Texas
By Richard A. Santillan, et al.
Highlights the contributions of baseball teams and players from Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, Donna, Alamo, San Juan, Brownsville, Harlingen, and other surrounding communities, from the late 19th century through the 1950s. Discusses the role of baseball in bridging the cultural divide in the Rio Grande Valley. Includes the story of former Representative Joe J. Bernal and his father.
Arcadia Publishing, 2016, 127 pages
796.35709764 SM 2016

 

20. Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares: Black Leadership in Texas, 1868-1898
By Merline Pitre
Provides an in-depth examination of Black legislators in Texas after the Civil War from 1868-1900. Examines what led to the emergence of these Black lawmakers, their influence on constituents and their white colleagues, their actions in constitutional conventions and role in party conventions, and the forces that led to the demise of their political careers. Highlights Texas Senators Matthew Gaines and George T. Ruby, Texas Representatives Richard Allen and Robert Lloyd Smith, and Republican party leader Norris Wright Cuney.
Texas A&M University Press, 2016, 296 pages
976.4 P931T 2016

 

21. Texas Women: Their Histories, Their Lives
By Elizabeth Hayes Turner, Stephanie Cole, and Rebecca Sharpless, editors
Compiles a collection of biographies and essays of Texas women showing the racial, class, and religious diversity of the Lone Star State, from the Spanish colonial era to the twenty-first century. Explores the lives of Native American, European, African American, and Hispanic women and their impact on Texas. Focuses on a range of topics, including the influence of Spanish law, slavery, higher education, equal rights, civil rights, politics, business, ranching, and the arts. Provides essays on Oveta Culp Hobby and former U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan.
The University of Georgia Press, 2015, 526 pages
305.409764 T852T 2015

 

22. Fighting Stock
By Richard B. McCaslin
Profiles the life and times of John S. "Rip" Ford in this new examination of his contributions to Texas history. Chronicles, not only his well-known tenure as a Texas Ranger and soldier, but as a leader of the Texas military forces allied with the Confederacy, as a physician, lawyer, newspaper editor, mayor, and state legislator.
TCU Press, 2011, 391 pages
328.764 F753M 2011

 

23. The House Will Come to Order: How the Texas Speaker Became a Power in State and National Politics
By Patrick Cox
Documents the development of the office of the Speaker of the Texas House of Representative into one of power and prestige. Uses material from interviews with twelve former Speakers. Traces the office of the Speaker from 1846 through 2009.
University of Texas Press, 2010, 254 pages
328.764 C839H 2010

 

24. José Antonio Navarro
By David R. McDonald
Presents the biography of Senator José Antonio Navarro who was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, a participant at the 1836 Consultation, the 1845 drafting of the state constitution after annexation, and a state senator. Points out that the 1846 Texas Legislature named the newly established Navarro County in his honor.
Texas State Historical Association, 2010, 340 pages
976.4 N228M 2010

 

25. Latina Legislator: Leticia Van de Putte and the Road to Leadership
By Sharon A. Navarro
Profiles the political career of Senator Leticia Van de Putte. Provides historical background and analyzes her legislative effectiveness.
Texas A&M University Press, 2008, 178 pages
328.764 V26N 2008

 

26. Rough Road to Justice: The Journey of Women Lawyers in Texas
By Betty Trapp Chapman
Examines how the legal profession has been the hardest of all professions for women to break into, due to sexual discrimination that was historically rooted in the legal system. Describes the challenges and limitations women endured in 1902, the year the first woman was allowed to practice law in Texas. Highlights the courage all of these women exhibited facing men who were unwelcoming even into the 21st century. Profiles a number of pioneering women who were also among the first women to be elected into the Texas Legislature, among them Barbara Jordan, Irma Rangel, Sissy Farenthold, and Kay Bailey Hutchison. Points out that despite the obstacles, women lawyers today comprise more than 31 percent of the State Bar of Texas and 48 percent of law students in the state.
State Bar of Texas, 2008, 267 pages
340.092 C366R 2008

 

27. Refined By Fire: A Family's Triumph of Love and Faith: A Soldier's Story of 9-11
By Brian Birdwell and Mel Birdwell
Alternates accounts between husband and wife to describe September 11, 2001, Senator Brian Birdwell’s injuries, his long recovery, and the effects on the family. Details their experiences during the long ordeal and their strengthened Christian faith.
Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, 231 pages
328.764 B532B 2004

 

28. Capitol Women: Texas Female Legislators, 1923-1999
By Nancy Baker Jones and Ruthe Winegarten
Examines the Texas Legislature through the experiences and history of the women who have served or are currently serving as legislators from January 1923 to January 1999. Includes 4 essays for cultural context and profiles on all 86 women who have served in that window of time through 58 chronologically arranged biographies, and 28 “snapshots."
University of Texas Press, 2000, 328 pages
328.764 J722C

 

29. Governors Who Have Been, and Other Public Men of Texas
By Norman G. Kittrell, Sr.
Provides a record of incidents and events relating to the lives of several remarkable Texans including governors, state legislators and other public figures drawn from the memories of Norman G. Kittrell, Sr., a former state legislator from Houston. Provides a look into the Texas political and judicial arenas during 1846-1921.
Dealy-Adey-Elgin Company, 1921, 301 pages
923 K658G 1921

 

1. Baby Ninth Amendments: How Americans Embraced Unenumerated Rights and Why It Matters
By Anthony B. Sanders
Examines the history and interpretation of unenumerated rights, or the "etcetera clause" in state constitutions known as the "Baby Ninth Amendments." Explores how they differ from the Ninth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which reads "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." Argues state judges need to protect the rights retained by the people that these "etcetera clauses" are designed to guarantee since courts, including the U.S. Supreme court, have historically ignored the Ninth Amendment. Notes the State of Texas did not retain its (proto) Baby Ninth Amendment when it adopted its 1845 Constitution or later constitutions.
University of Michigan Press, 2023, 199 pages
342.7308 SA194 2023

 

2. The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives
By Brook Manville and Josiah Ober
Challenges the idea - bolstered by poll results and punditry - that democracy is in trouble, not just in the U.S. but around the world. Offers a guide for citizens to recommit to democratic ideals, including full participation in the democratic process; investment in civic education; and compromise and good-faith engagement with one another. Examines key moments in democracy's history, comparing ideas that succeeded and failed to provide a road map for how modern democracies can survive and thrive.
Princeton University Press, 2023, 312 pages
321.8072 M295 2023

 

3. Mr. Texas
By Lawrence Wright
Presents the fictional story of an Iraq war veteran and West Texas rancher named Sonny Lamb, who was propelled to run for the Texas House of Representatives after saving a child and her horse from a barn fire. Conveys a realistic portrait of the Texas legislature, including characters modeled after political giants such as Bob Bullock, based on years of research and interviews with Texas political insiders. Portrays powerful lobbyists, party infighting, pig hunts, and the battle between belief and pragmatism as characters work on behalf of the people of the state.
Alfred A. Knopf, 2023, 323 pages
813.54 W947 2023

 

4. Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better
By Jennifer Pahlka
Seeks to explain issues in the provision of digital government services, illustrated by firsthand examples of projects such as the launch of Healthcare.gov and fixing California’s COVID-era unemployment insurance. Critiques decision making processes which divide the roles of policy creation and implementation. Highlights government practices, such as contracting requirements and lack of user research, and provides a guide on how to better the processes and create more secure, user-friendly digital services.
Metropolitan Books, Henry Holt and Company, 2023, 319 pages
352.7 P141 2023

 

5. Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States
By J. Scott Kappas
Provides short explanations of laws most relevant for people traveling with firearms for all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Mexico. Discusses vehicle carry, concealed carry and reciprocity for non-resident licensees, and laws governing possession of firearms for each state. Rates the states for its treatment of firearms on a scale of total prohibition to total freedom. Includes definitions of important terms and statutory language.
Traveler's Guide, 2023, 67 pages
363.33 T697 2023

 

6. The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
By Heather McGhee
Proposes that institutionalized racism negatively affects all demographics of the American population. Argues that the concept of zero-sum game has been used to create discriminatory policies, despite hurting those it claims to protect, by removing beneficial social amenities from all community members. Provides examples of decisions related to pools, parks, and functioning schools that have harmed and continue to harm communities for generations. Claims that effective changes in policy must first start with changes in cultural attitudes.
One World, 2021, 415 pages
305.800973 M478 2021

 

1. Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments, 88th Texas Legislature, November 7, 2023, Election
By Texas Legislative Council
Provides detailed information on the fourteen joint resolutions passed during the 88th Regular and 2nd Called Sessions of the Texas Legislature that propose amendments to the Texas Constitution. Includes background information, detailed analysis, comments from both supporters and opponents, and the text of each joint resolution to assist voters during the November election.
Texas Legislative Council, 2023, 75 pages
L1400.7 C766 2023

 

2. The Buying and Selling of American Education: Reimagining a System of Schools for All Children
By Susan Tave Zelman and Margaret Erlandson Sorensen
Explores the history of American education, including how various educational models are organized, governed, funded, and the results each produces. Discusses trends, such as the standards movement and school choice, and how they have shaped the educational landscape over the years. Offers ways to reform education to create a system that balances the needs of society with those of children and families. Argues that schools' most important focus should be on student needs and desires rather than those of adults in the general public.
Rowman & Littlefield, 2023, 277 pages
370.973 Z51 2023

 

3. Condensed Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments: 88th Texas Legislature, November 7, 2023, Election
By Texas Legislative Council
Presents a brief analysis for each of the fourteen joint resolutions proposed to amend the Texas Constitution that passed during 88th Regular and 2nd Called Sessions and will appear on the upcoming November election ballot. Includes the topic, a summary analysis, and a summary of comments made by supporters and opponents during the legislative process.
Texas Legislative Council, 2023, 15 pages
L1400.7 C766C 2023

 

4. Constitutional Amendments Proposed for November 2023 Ballot
By House Research Organization
Describes the process by which constitutional amendments are adopted. Provides information on each of the fourteen proposed amendments that will be submitted for voter approval at the November 7, 2023, general election. Includes background information, analysis, and arguments for and against each proposal.
House Research Organization, 2023, 33 pages
L1801.9 ST94 88-3

 

5. Merchants of the Right: Gun Sellers and the Crisis of American Democracy
By Jennifer Carlson
Examines how gun sellers’ responded to the 2020 surge in gun purchases by both conservative and atypical gun buyers due to the coronavirus pandemic, civil unrest, and heightened politics. Addresses gun sellers’ role in conservative politics, including their mobilization of conservative culture mainstays — armed individualism, conspiracism, and partisanship. Explores how conservative gun politics is shaping American democracy.
Princeton University Press, 2023, 272 pages
363.330973 C284 2023

 

6. Volatility in State Spending for Higher Education
By Jennifer A. Delaney, Editor
Compiles a collection of essays focusing on the consequences of volatility in state higher education funding and the reasons why higher education is particularly affected. Analyzes the risks of public colleges and universities operating in an uncertain financial environment, and the importance of funding predictability to institutions, students, families, and states.
American Educational Research Association, 2023, 354 pages
379.1 D337 2023

 

1. Border Water: The Politics of U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Water Management, 1945-2015
By Stephen Paul Mumme
Chronicles the development of transnational water management between the United States and Mexico over a 70 year period, starting with The Water Treaty of 1944. Discusses the establishment of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) in 1945, environmental concerns due to pollution and increased salinization, and the impact on the international water border from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), as well as the 9/11 attacks. Addresses the various perspectives of the diplomatic process, the evolution of border water politics, and the importance of a binational relationship with Mexico.
University of Arizona Press, 2023, 414 pages
333.91009721 M962 2023

 

2. Final Results of Sunset Reviews, 2022-2023
By Sunset Advisory Commission
Summarizes actions taken by the 88th Legislature on 21 entities that were reviewed by the Sunset Commission. Includes the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), and a limited scope re-review of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Provides the Sunset bill number, authors, and final actions taken on each of the entities reviewed. Lists Sunset Review schedule for 2024-25.
Sunset Advisory Commission, 2023, 40 pages
S1500.8 AN79F 2023

 

3. The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet
By Jeff Goodell
Presents a comprehensive survey of the current and future effect of rising temperatures on humanity. Includes sections relating to the impact of heat on the human body and public health, its role in migration and inequality, and the catastrophic combination of drought and hot weather on agriculture. Warns that immediate action, like the reconstruction of cities, is necessary to reduce the effects of rising temperatures, particularly in air-conditioning dependent areas like Texas.
Little, Brown and Company, 2023, 385 pages
363.738 G648 2023

 

4. Lone Stars Rising: The Fifty People Who Turned Texas into the Fastest-Growing, Most Exciting, and, Sometimes, Most Exasperating State in the Country
By Texas Monthly, editors
Profiles 50 people who helped shape Texas into the state it is today. Reflects back at 50 years of Texas Monthly reporting and highlights the most significant and influential people within each decade starting with the 1970s. Includes Lieutenant Governors Bob Bullock, Bill Hobby, and Dan Patrick; Governors Rick Perry and Ann Richards; U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan; and President George W. Bush.
Texas Monthly, 2023, 239 pages
976.4 L847 2023

 

5. Texas Government in a Nutshell
By Randy Erben
Provides an overview of state government in Texas, including its foundation, structure, and how it functions. Focuses on the role of the executive branch and its interaction with the legislative and judicial branches. Covers the constitutional and statutory powers of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, and other officials and agencies. Delves into the legislative process, separation of powers, the state budget, agency rules, and litigation authority. Mentions former legislative and executive officials, as well as Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, and Governor Greg Abbott.
West Academic Publishing, 2023, 430 pages
320.476 ER65 2023

 

6. Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies
By Gaia Bernstein
Suggests a blueprint for curbing technology addiction and overuse. Discusses the negative impact of addiction-inducing algorithms on users and the value of government intervention, drawing on lessons from the tobacco and junk food industries. Argues the moral responsibility and accountability for solutions should be on corporations and not individual users. Describes a grassroots movement in the U.S. pushing for action in courts and legislation along with international efforts for change.
Cambridge University Press, 2023, 233 pages
616.85 B535 2023

 

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

 

1. Major Issues of the 87th Legislature
By House Research Organization
Presents a selection of bills, arranged by subject, from the 87th Legislature that became law and some that did not. Includes bills from the regular and three called special sessions. Provides summaries of the legislation and arguments offered for and against each measure as it was debated.
House Research Organization, 2023, 165 pages
L1801.9 ST94 87-7

 

2. Sharpening the Legal Mind: How to Think Like a Lawyer
By William Powers Jr.
Explains how lawyers analyze the cases and controversies that come before the courts. Presents an introduction to the academic study of the law, including the philosophy of law and the intellectual history of legal thought. Addresses the relationship of legislatures to judges and the courts.
University of Texas Press, 2023, 224 pages
349.7309 P888SH 2023

 

3. Tax Exemptions and Tax Incidence: A Report to the Governor and the 88th Legislature
By Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Addresses Texas tax exemptions available to payers of sales, franchise, motor vehicle sales, oil production, and natural gas production taxes, as well as property taxes levied by Texas school districts. Provides estimates of the value of each exemption, exclusion, discount, deduction, special accounting method, credit, refund, and special appraisal, based on revenue projections derived from the updated 2022-23 Certification Revenue Estimate report.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2023, 77 pages
C2600.8 T199 2023

 

4. Topics for the 88th Legislature
By House Research Organization
Highlights prominent issues lawmakers may consider during the 88th Texas Legislature. Summarizes a variety of topics including property tax relief, border security initiatives, school choice, rural health care, and how to allocate an expected budget surplus.
House Research Organization, 2023, 12 pages
L1801.9 ST94 88-1

 

5. Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking
By Mehdi Hasan
Discusses the art of rhetoric and argumentation. Provides advice on understanding audiences, debate basics, and persuading opponents. Presents strategies for how to win an argument and how to avoid potential pitfalls. Analyzes real-life examples of arguments ranging from everyday discussions to televised political debates, breaking down what did and did not work.
Henry Holt and Company, 2023, 317 pages
303.342 H344W 2023

 

6. Laboratories Against Democracy: How National Parties Transformed State Politics
By Jacob M. Grumbach
Describes American federalism in context with the current political landscape of shifting policymaking to the state level within the political parties and activist groups. Argues that this shift and an increase in party polarization has resulted in policy differences between states in areas such as health care, reproductive rights, and climate change. Contends the foundations of democracy are backsliding after examining new data on state policy, public opinion, and campaign finance.
Princeton University Press, 2022, 261 pages
320.973 G887L 2022

 

7. The U.S. Criminal Justice System in the Pandemic Era and Beyond: Taking Stock of Efforts to Maintain Safety and Justice Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Prepare for Future Challenges
By Brian A. Jackson, et al.
Examines the challenges and risks faced by the U.S. criminal justice system during the COVID-19 pandemic and the national protest movement triggered by the death of George Floyd. Details the innovative and collaborative responses of law enforcement, court systems, and corrections agencies. Summarizes the justice system’s swift adaptation to the pandemic in a multitude of areas, including staffing systems, physical infrastructure, health and safety, and “virtual” communications. Recommends practices and broad policy changes for each sector of the system.
RAND Corporation, 2021, 303 pages
364.973 J12UN 2021

 

1. Biennial Revenue Estimate 2024-2025
By Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Projects the available revenue lawmakers have for state programs and services through the remainder of the 2023 fiscal year and the upcoming 2024-25 biennium. Includes summary tables, revenue estimates, fund details (Schedules I-III), and an economic outlook for Texas.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2023, 99 pages
C2600.3 R322 2024-25

 

2. Budget 101: A Guide to the Budget Process in Texas
By Senate Research Center
Provides a broad overview of the Texas biennial budget process, including the roles of the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), the Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA), the State Auditor’s Office (SAO), and the Office of the Governor. Highlights how the general appropriations bill moves through the legislative process. Discusses how the budget is administered and the sources of state revenue that fund the budget.
Senate Research Center, 2023, 85 pages
L1803.8 B859B 2023

 

3. Public Utility Commission of Texas, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Office of Public Utility Counsel: Sunset Staff Report with Commission Decisions
By Sunset Advisory Commission
Presents the Sunset Commission’s decisions on statutory recommendations which will form the basis of the Sunset bill for the following entities: Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). Includes modifications and new recommendations raised during the public hearing. Notes the Sunset review of these entities was moved up two years to monitor legislative changes made in response to Winter Storm Uri’s impact on the Texas electric grid.
Sunset Advisory Commission, 2023, 122 pages
S1500.8 P96UD 2023

 

4. Sources of Revenue: A History of State Taxes and Fees in Texas, 1972-2022
By Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Details the history and current status of Texas revenue sources back to 1972. Profiles major state taxes and fees collected by presenting information on when they were enacted as well as their administration, rate and base changes, allocations, and statutory authority. Includes tables of legislative sessions and their associated major tax, fee, revenue-related bills, and taxes that have been repealed or abolished since 1972.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2023, 274 pages
C2600.8 SO85 2023

 

5. What's Prison For? Punishment and Rehabilitation in the Age of Mass Incarceration
By Bill Keller
Examines the American prison system and mass incarceration through the experiences of inmates and corrections officials throughout the nation. Argues for prison reform and supports programs that provide rehabilitative assistance for reintroduction to society. Presents examples and data from U.S. prisons with innovative programs as well as European prison models.
Columbia Global Reports, 2022, 159 pages
365 KK29W 2022

 

6. Marijuana Federalism: Uncle Sam and Mary Jane
By Jonathan H. Adler, editor
Reviews states’ efforts to legalize marijuana across the United States. Examines the relationship between state and federal regulations of marijuana, including issues that arise when state and federal policies differ. Addresses the effects that different policies and laws have on areas such as law enforcement and banking. Provides a brief review of cannabis support in Texas during the 2018 elections.
Brookings Institution Press, 2020, 195 pages
362.29 AD237M 2020

 

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

 

1. Hope and Hard Truth: A Life in Texas Politics
By Mary Beth Rogers
Presents the political and personal memoir of Mary Beth Rogers, campaign manager and chief of staff for Governor Ann Richards. Provides an insider's account of the political intrigue and legislative maneuvering during Richards' administration, including insurance reform and state government reorganization initiatives. Reflects on maintaining a family life while working in politics.
University of Texas Press, 2022, 230 pages
976.4 R724H 2022

 

2. Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System
By M. Chris Fabricant
Argues that forensic science in the U.S. legal system is unregulated and often leads to wrongful convictions. Describes the history and use of disproven forensic techniques, including bite marks and arson investigations, in criminal cases which were later overturned or judged to have led to wrongful executions. Highlights the wrongful conviction case of Steven Chaney, which led to the Texas Forensic Science Commission recommending in a 2016 report that bitemark comparison not be admitted in criminal cases in Texas.
Akashic Books, 2022, 359 pages
364.089 F126J 2022

 

3. Lockdown Drills: Connecting Research and Best Practices for School Administrators, Teachers, and Parents
By Jaclyn Schildkraut and Amanda B. Nickerson
Details the role of lockdown drills as a school safety measure and provides guidance for planning and conducting them according to best practices. Presents historical precedent for using such drills and research findings on their effectiveness, as well as common arguments for and against their use. Includes 50-state survey of laws relating to annual drill requirements for lockdowns or other emergencies.
MIT Press, 2022, 213 pages
371.7 SCH334L 2022

 

4. Phyllis Frye and the Fight for Transgender Rights
By Michael G. Long and Shea Tuttle
Examines the life of Judge Phyllis Frye, founder of the first national organization devoted to shaping transgender law and the first openly transgender judge appointed in the U.S. Describes her early life, previous career as an engineer, dismissal from her alma mater Texas A&M University, family life, faith, and her years of LGBTQ+ activism.
Texas A&M University Press, 2022, 309 pages
306.76 L848P 2022

 

5. Cryptocurrencies and Cryptoassets: Regulatory and Legal Issues
By Andrew Haynes and Peter Yeoh, editors
Provides an overview of cryptocurrencies, the supporting blockchain technology, and the associated opportunities and risks with this market. Presents in-depth examination and analysis, including tables of case law and statutes, of the legal and regulatory policies regarding cryptocurrency and cryptoassets in American, Asian, and European economies. Addresses why there is resistance to regulating digital currencies and what is considered the essentials of good regulation.
Informa Law from Routledge, 2020, 277 pages
343.032 H424C 2020

 

6. Lone Star Suburbs: Life on Texas Metropolitan Frontier
By Paul J. P. Sandul and M. Scott Sosebee, editiors
Compiles a series of essays on the history of Texas suburbs and the influence of suburban areas on Texas culture and land use policies. Includes topics on environmental activism, increasing racial diversity, the development of urban expressways, and cities' decisions to incorporate, expand, or annex. Mentions HB 13, 58th Legislature, R.S., known as the Municipal Annexation Act of 1963.
University of Oklahoma Press, 2019, 250 pages
307.764 SA194L 2019