1. The New Politics of the Old South: An Introduction to Southern Politics
By Charles S. Bullock III and Mark J. Rozell, editors
Collects a series of essays on Southern politics through time, up to date through the 2020 elections. Profiles twelve states and classifies them as either "Stagnant" or "Growth" states. Includes Texas in the latter group because of its rapid economic and population development, and predicts potential changes in partisanship and public policy. Focuses on voting patterns and demographic shifts since the 1970s in the Texas chapter, with emphasis on the state's history of redistricting.
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2022, 341 pages
320.975 B938N 2022

 

2. The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America's Soul
By Brian Kilmeade
Tells the story of the relationship between two men striving to save the United States during the Civil War. Follows President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass as their paths converge while working towards the abolition of slavery. Describes the influence of Douglass' writings on Lincoln's beliefs and how Douglass was the only Black man allowed within Lincoln's inner chamber in the White House.
Sentinel, 2021, 292 pages
973.7092 K48P 2021

 

3. Presumed Guilty: How the Supreme Court Empowered the Police and Subverted Civil Rights
By Erwin Chemerinsky
Demonstrates how the U.S. Supreme Court, through its decisions over the last half-century, has helped create an unjust criminal justice system that undermines the civil rights of criminal suspects and defendants — especially for people of color. Argues that the Court has not only failed to limit police misconduct and racism in law enforcement but has also weakened remedies for people who are victims of police wrongdoing. Details alternate avenues for police reform and how state and local governments can be involved.
Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2021, 362 pages
344.73052 C517P 2021

 

4. Texas Charter Schools Turn 25
By House Research Organization
Addresses the 25 year history of the charter school system in Texas since it was established in 1995 by SB 1, 74th Legislature, R.S. Details policy proposals related to charter schools' growth and operations as well as the authorization process, municipal ordinances, and funding. Includes an in-depth legislative history.
House Research Organization, 2021, 12 pages
L1801.9 ST94 87-4

 

5. The Turnout Myth: Voting Rates and Partisan Outcomes in American National Elections
By Daron R. Shaw and John R. Petrocik
Examines over 50 years of presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, and house election data to explore the partisan effect associated with voter turnout in national elections. Challenges the widely held belief that high voter participation benefits Democrats while low participation helps Republicans. Discusses the shifting Republican terrain in Texas.
Oxford University Press, 2020, 200 pages
324.60973 SH534T 2020

 

6. The Wineslinger Chronicles: Texas on the Vine
By Russell D. Kane
Chronicles Texas' emergence as a wine-producing region. Includes stories of winemakers who overcame barriers presented by state alcoholic beverage production and distribution laws. Describes how creation of the Winegrowers List mobilized winegrowers and winemakers to bring about the reform of Texas winery laws, including an amendment to the Texas Constitution.
Texas Tech University Press, 2012, 205 pages
641.2 K16W 2012

 

1. The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth
By By Jonathan Rauch
Employs a philosophical and journalistic approach to examine the ways in which Americans on different sides of the political spectrum distinguish fact from fiction, as widespread disinformation and polarization affect the way we determine and uphold the "truth." Investigates trends from both the right and left, including trolling and cancel culture, and highlights how various forms of disinformation were utilized during the 2016 and 2020 elections.
Brookings Institution Press, 2021, 305 pages
174.907 R241C 2021

 

2. Redistricting: The Most Political Activity in America
By Charles S. Bullock III
Provides an overview and history of redistricting at the congressional, state legislative, and local levels. Discusses factors that influence redistricting as well as districting schemes, partisan gerrymandering, minorities, redistricting controversies, and judicial challenges. Addresses redistricting in Texas, including plans by former U.S. Representatives Tom Delay and Martin Frost.
Rowman & Littlefield, 2021, 261 pages
328.73 B938R 2021

 

3. Bill Analyses, Enrolled Legislation of the 87th Texas Legislature
By Senate Research Center
Compiles the Senate Research Center's analyses of enrolled bills from the Regular and Second Called Sessions of the 87th Legislature, organized in numerical order over eight volumes. Includes the author's or sponsor's statement of intent as well as a section-by-section analysis, and identifies bills that grant additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, institution, or agency. Notes no legislation was enrolled during the 87th Legislature, First Called Session.
Senate Research Center, 2021, 8 volumes
L1803.6 AN13 2021

 

4. Constitutional Amendments Proposed for November 2021 Ballot
By House Research Organization
Describes the process by which constitutional amendments are adopted. Provides information on each of the eight proposed amendments that will be submitted for voter approval at the November 2, 2021, general election. Includes background information, analysis, and arguments for and against each proposal.
House Research Organization, 2021, 20 pages
L1801.9 ST94 87-3

 

5. Data for 2021 Redistricting in Texas
By Texas Legislative Council
Examines the data utilized within the Texas Legislative Council’s redistricting computer system. Describes how the data is collected and prepared for redistricting, the sources of data, and the electronic resources available for viewing and obtaining the data. Presents information in three sections: population data, geographic data, and election data.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 21 pages
L1400.8 D262 2021

 

6. Guide to 2021 Redistricting in Texas
By Texas Legislative Council
Introduces the issues and constraints related to statewide redistricting in Texas following the 2020 decennial census. Outlines the requirements of a redistricting plan and explains the redistricting process. Includes sections on the types of data used and public participation.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 10 pages
L1400.8 G942 2021

 

7. Sunset in Texas, 2022-2023
By Sunset Advisory Commission
Explains the Sunset review process, which was created in 1977 to examine the need for and the effectiveness of state agencies and their programs. Describes each stage of the review process, the evaluation tools that guide every review, and ways in which the public can participate. Offers examples of major Sunset changes since 1977 and highlights recommendations adopted by the 87th Legislature. Includes the Sunset review schedule for the 2023-2033 period, a list of agencies that are reviewed, and the text of the Texas Sunset Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 325).
Sunset Advisory Commission, 2021, 44 pages
S1500.8 SU74 2021

 

1. 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

 

2. The Plague Year: America in the Time of COVID
By Lawrence Wright
Recounts the events of the year 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in a journalistic style. Includes interviews with politicians and political aides, the developers of the mRNA vaccines, public health officials, and COVID-19 patients and their families.
Alfred A. Knopf, 2021, 322 pages
614.5 W947P 2021

 

3. The Union League and Biracial Politics in Reconstruction Texas
By Carl H. Moneyhon
Traces the establishment and role of the Republican Union League of America, a secret organization introduced in Texas in 1867 to mobilize new Black voters during Reconstruction. Details the achievements of the organization's biracial coalition of delegates and how it impacted Black voters and politicians, including former Texas Senator George T. Ruby, who was elected president of the Union League in 1868. Addresses the political controversies that led to its disbandment in 1871 by the Texas Republican Party and the effect its demise had on Black Texans.
Texas A&M University Press, 2021, 426 pages
305.8009764 M742UN 2021

 

4. 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

 

5. Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments, 87th Regular Session, November 2, 2021, Election
By Texas Legislative Council
Provides detailed information on the eight joint resolutions passed during the 87th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature that propose amendments to the Texas Constitution. Notes the amendments will be offered for approval by Texas voters in the upcoming November election. Includes extensive analysis, background information, comments from both supporters and opponents, the text of the joint resolution, and the ballot language.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 48 pages
L1400.7 C766 2021

 

6. Condensed Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments, 87th Regular Session, November 2, 2021, Election
By Texas Legislative Council
Presents a one-page analysis for each proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution that passed during 87th Regular Session and will appear on the upcoming November election ballot. Includes the text of the proposed amendment, a summary analysis, and a summary of comments made by supporters and opponents during the legislative process.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 10 pages
L1400.7 C766C 2021

 

1. Just Algorithms: Using Science to Reduce Incarceration and Inform a Jurisprudence of Risk
By Christopher Slobogin
Comments on the use of risk assessment instruments in the criminal justice system – statistical formulas that predict the likelihood a person will commit a crime in the future. Explains how risk algorithms work, the types of legal questions they should answer, and the criteria for judging whether they do so in a way that minimizes bias and respects human dignity. Provides examples of a number of these instruments to illustrate their diversity and nuances. Points out the author's shorter related publication Primer on Risk Assessment Instruments for Legal Decision-Makers.
Cambridge University Press, 2021, 182 pages
345.73 SL634J 2021

 

2. When the Lone Star Froze Over - Winter Storm Uri and the Lived Experiences of Texas Low-Income Communities
By Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute
Details how Texans, particularly low-income individuals, were impacted by the February 2021 winter storm that caused 4.5 million households to lose electricity when temperatures fell below freezing. Discusses the failure of the electrical grid, the resulting increase in electricity market rates, and the unexpected consequences of the storm on low-income families, many who were already struggling with energy cost burdens. Addresses the 87th Legislature's actions following the storm, as well as regulatory actions taken by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute, 2021, 18 pages
976.4 EN56W 2021

 

3. 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

 

4. The Rise and Fall of the Voting Rights Act
By Charles S. Bullock III, Ronald Keith Gaddie, and Justin J. Wert
Traces the Voting Rights Act from its inception in 1965 through the Supreme Court's 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, analyzing the evolving legislation and the future of voting rights in the United States. Discusses redistricting, preclearance review, voter identification laws, and voter participation and registration in Texas. Explores potential next steps after the Shelby County ruling, including proposals to restore the preclearance process.
University of Oklahoma Press, 2016, 240 pages
342.73072 B876R 2016

 

5. Rotten Boroughs, Political Thickets, and Legislative Donnybrooks: Redistricting in Texas
By Gary A. Keith
Presents legal, political, and historical aspects of redistricting in Texas. Brings together essays on the process of redistricting since 1965 from attorneys, political scientists, and practitioners. Includes an essay by former state legislator and U.S. Congressman Craig A. Washington, on his experiences with redistricting in the Texas Legislature from the 1970s to the 1990s.
University of Texas Press, 2013, 202 pages
328.3345 R748 2013

 

6. The Evolution of American Legislatures: Colonies, Territories, and States, 1619-2009
By Peverill Squire
Explores how state legislatures have evolved in the United States and speculates how they could change in the future. Addresses the establishment of colonial assemblies and territorial legislatures as well as the institutional history of state legislatures and their professionalization since 1900. Discusses the evolution of legislative procedures and rules, including quorum standards for conducting legislative business in Texas and other states.
University of Michigan Press, 2012, 440 pages
328.73 SQ58E 2012

 

1. America's National Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner" in U.S. History, Culture, and Law
By John R. Vile
Presents the history and cultural significance of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States, in an encyclopedic format. Serves as a comprehensive resource on several aspects of the anthem, including the song's origin, its selection by Congress, laws and legal decisions related to its performance, and its impact on different demographic groups. Addresses controversies, such as the political protests undertaken during renditions of the anthem to highlight racial inequality
ABC-CLIO, 2021, 350 pages
973.52 V699 2021

 

2. Lone Star Vistas: Travel Writing on Texas, 1821-1861
By Astrid Haas
Examines and compares Mexican, German, and Anglo-American travel writings from military-scientific exploration, colonization, and professional journeys during the antebellum period. Argues these early accounts contributed to the public image of Texas at a time of political and social transformation. Highlights individual writers and how their backgrounds affected their views on nature, white settlement, military engagement, indigenous resistance, and slavery.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 215 pages
917.6405 H112 2021

 

3. Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants
By George W. Bush
Presents a new collection of portraits painted by former President George W. Bush. Spotlights the inspiring journeys of 43 men and women who immigrated to the U.S. and their contributions to the life and prosperity of the nation. Highlights immigrant values that are often viewed as distinctly American, including optimism and gratitude, a willingness to strive and to work, a deep sense of patriotism, and a spirit of self-reliance.
Crown Publishers, 2021, 208 pages
759.13 B963O 2021

 

4. The Republican Party of Texas A Political History
By Wayne J. Thorburn
Explores the history of the Republican Party in Texas, from its founding in the mid-1800s to its current state dominance. Concludes that while Republicans have a strong foothold in the state, the party is fighting changing demographics, and ideologies from within and outside of its own party.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 387 pages
324.2764 T487R 2021

 

5. 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

 

6. Final Results of Sunset Reviews 2020–2021
By Sunset Advisory Commission
Summarizes the actions taken by the 87th Legislature on 19 entities that were under review by the Sunset Commission prior to the Regular Session. Highlights major changes to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Provides the Sunset bill number, fiscal impact for 2022-2023, and final action taken on each of the entities reviewed.
Sunset Advisory Commission, 2021, 49 pages
S1500.8 AN79 2021

 

1. Fortunate Son: Selected Essays from the Lone Star State
By Rick Bass
Explores the meaning of being a "Texan" through literary essays. Chronicles historical state events through the author's memories and musings on nature, music, football, religion, geology, and the passage of time. Scrutinizes the ever-changing culture of the Lone Star State, with stories stretching from Galveston Bay to Wichita Falls and featuring characters such as Roy Bedichek and James McMurtry, musician and son of writer Larry McMurtry.
High Road Books, 2021, 189 pages
976.4063 B317F 2021

 

2. From a Taller Tower: The Rise of the American Mass Shooter
By Seamus McGraw
Chronicles the rise of mass shootings, beginning in 1966 on the campus of the University of Texas. Explores the backgrounds of the perpetrators, as well as the experiences of gun violence survivors, first responders, and mental health experts. Challenges the notion of a "good guy with a gun" and the cultural idolization of guns.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 240 pages
364.152 M487 2021

 

3. On Juneteenth
By Annette Gordon-Reed
Provides a series of short essays on the history of Juneteenth, a holiday marking the end of slavery in Texas, and how African Americans have played a crucial role in Texas history. Examines the author's own recollections and her family history to discuss the complexities of the Black experience in Texas.
Liveright Publishing, 2021, 148 pages
394.263 G662J 2021

 

4. A Single Star and Bloody Knuckles: A History of Politics and Race in Texas
By Bill Minutaglio
Recounts a history of Texas politics from the June 19 ("Juneteenth") order announcing the emancipation of slaves in Texas in 1865 to the 2020 election, with an eye to how race and racism have shaped the institutions and mythology of the state. Profiles both well-known and forgotten figures in Texas political history, such as Barbara Jordan, George W. Bush, labor activist Emma Tenayuca, and Reconstruction Governor Edmund Davis.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 376 pages
976.406 M668 2021

 

5. The Texas Triangle: An Emerging Power in the Global Economy
By Henry G. Cisneros, David Hendricks, J. H. Cullum Clark, and William Fulton
Studies the Texas Triangle, the interconnected urban economy consisting of three metropolitan complexes – Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Galveston, and Austin-San Antonio. Explains the origin of the Texas Triangle, its importance to Texas, how it compares to other economies, and its potential to become one of the most economically powerful regions in the world. Points out that the political structure that fueled the state's success during the past sixty years now has the potential to undermine the state's and the Texas Triangle's continued growth and future success.
Texas A&M University Press, 2021, 335 pages
330.9764 C579 2021

 

6. The Eyes of Texans: From Slavery to the Texas Capitol: Personal Stories from Six Generations of One Family
By Melvin Edwards
Retells the stories of six generations of the author's family, spanning from Edwards' first enslaved ancestor in Texas to his role as speechwriter for former Texas Governor Rick Perry. Features firsthand accounts detailing their lives, while delivering a glimpse into Texas history. Provides insight into the discrimination and harassment endured by African Americans along with their achievements.
Independently published, 2020, 159 pages
929.20973 ED26E 2020

 

7. Juneteenth Texas: Essays in African-American Folklore
Presents a wide variety of viewpoints on African American folklore in Texas, including personal memoirs, scholarly articles, and essays describing African American folk culture, songs, and stories. Includes an essay on the history of the Juneteenth celebration in Texas, highlighting the path to establishing it as an official state holiday with the passage of HB 1016, 66th Legislature.
University of North Texas Press, 1996, 364 pages
398 AB37 1996

 

1. Preventing the Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-science
By Peter J. Hotez
Attributes the global rise of epidemic infectious disease to many factors, including war, climate change, shifting poverty, urbanization, and anti-vaccination views — culminating in the dramatic outbreak of COVID-19. Examines the culture of anti-science and anti-vaccination that is contributing to declines in previous global health gains and increases in vaccine-preventable and neglected diseases. Emphasizes that vaccine diplomacy and partnerships are critical for preventing more pandemics in a post-COVID world.
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2021, 192 pages
362.19698 H832P 2021

 

2. The Sports Revolution: How Texas Changed the Culture of American Athletics
By Frank Andre Guridy
Describes how the Lone Star State was at the center of America's investment in sport from the 1960s through the 1980s, with the confluence of television, professional sports leagues and franchises, changing demographics, and the civil rights and feminist movements. Includes discussion of the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Senators (now Texas Rangers), Houston Astros, and San Antonio Spurs.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 418 pages
796.09764 G979S 2021

 

3. The People’s Revolt: Texas Populists and the Roots of American Liberalism
By Gregg Cantrell
Narrates a detailed history of the Texas Populist Party in the 1890s, which arose from farmer and worker cooperatives in the industrial, post-Civil War South. Profiles the careers of Populists and explores their views on financial policy, religion, and racial and gender equality. Argues that although the Texas Populists of the 1890s saw little political success in their time, they should be considered important influences on modern American liberalism.
Yale University Press, 2020, 555 pages
324.276402 C233P 2020

 

4. The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future
By Gretchen Bakke, Ph.D.
Presents a historical and social perspective of America's electrical grid technology, the laws that shaped the current system, and the economics that drive it. Examines the current challenges in modernizing the grid's deteriorating and failing infrastructure systems. Notes Americans endure more outages than people in other industrial countries and more minutes of outages each year. Considers factors necessary to transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.
Bloomsbury, 2016, 352 pages
333.7932 B168G 2016

 

5. CSSB 1: The House Appropriations Committee’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal 2022-23
By House Research Organization
Provides an overview of the House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1 (CSSB 1), the House Appropriations Committee's version of the state budget for the 2022-2023 biennium. Addresses significant budget issues along with House and Senate proposals for funding individual state agencies and programs. Includes supporters' and critics' opinions regarding CSSB 1.
House Research Organization, 2021, 42 pages
L1801.9 ST94 87F-2

 

6. Summary of House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1: 2022-23 Biennium (House)
By Legislative Budget Board
Summarizes appropriations found within the House Committee Substitute for the General Appropriations Bill, SB 1, 87th Legislature. Highlights major funding items, trends in state government expenditures, and constitutional spending limits. Includes article-specific chapters, a guide on how to read General Appropriations Bills, and a chart comparing the committee substitute to the House version of the General Appropriations Bill, HB 1, 87th Legislature.
Legislative Budget Board, 2021, 132 pages
L1300.8 B859 2022_23SH

 

7. Summary of Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1: 2022-23 Biennium (Senate)
By Legislative Budget Board
Summarizes appropriations found within the Senate Committee Substitute for the General Appropriations Bill, SB 1, 87th Legislature. Highlights major funding items, trends in state government expenditures, and constitutional spending limits. Includes article-specific chapters, a guide on how to read General Appropriations Bills, and a chart comparing the introduced version to the committee substitute.
Legislative Budget Board, 2021, 130 pages
L1300.8 B859 2022_23SS

 

1. Let the Lord Sort Them: The Rise and Fall of the Death Penalty
By Maurice Chammah
Recounts the history of the death penalty in America through court cases and state laws from the Supreme Court decision in Furman v. Georgia in 1972 to the present, with a special focus on Texas. Uses personal stories of lawyers, victims, corrections workers, and the convicted to illustrate the complexities of death penalty cases and highlight larger trends within criminal justice in Texas and the United States.
Crown, 2021, 354 pages
364.6609764 C448L 2021

 

2. Making Government Work: A Conservative Agenda for the States
By Tan Parker, ed.
Presents a collection of essays from a conservative policy perspective on federalism, pro-growth tax reform for the states, health care innovation, religious liberty, the Electoral College, labor unions, energy policy, crime, public universities, veterans, infrastructure, abortion, and the Second Amendment. Includes a chapter on the Texas Model by former Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Regnery Publishing, 2020, 466 pages
353.9 P228M 2020

 

3. Reading, Writing, and Revolution: Escuelitas and the Emergence of a Mexican American Identity in Texas
By Phillis M. Barragan Goetz
Traces the origins and eventual decline of grassroots escuelitas, or "little schools," community-based Spanish-speaking schools that helped shape the early Mexican Texan experience. Merges U.S. and Mexican history by analyzing oral histories, archives, and genealogical materials of individuals who were involved in creating escuelitas and those who attended them. Details the ways in which escuelitas founders and teachers addressed key needs in their communities and how they ultimately challenged the hegemonic U.S. public school curriculum by empowering children through language and identity.
University of Texas Press, 2020, 236 pages
371.829 G555R 2020

 

4. Sutherland Springs: God, Guns, and Hope in a Texas Town
By Joe Holley
Explores how the people of the Sutherland Springs community are rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the worst mass shooting in a church setting in U.S. history, an event in which 26 people died. Features interviews with survivors and with victims' families while examining the topic of guns and gun violence.
Hatchette Books, 2020, 294 pages
364.152 H724S 2020

 

5. Texas Place Names
By Edward Callary
Recounts colorful stories about the people, places, and events that contributed to the naming of more than ten thousand Texas counties, cities, and towns – from Abbott (Hill County) to Zunkerville (Karnes County). Clarifies local pronunciation and includes the dates of creation and organization for each county. Mentions a number of places named for Texas legislators and their families, including Akin Grove, Cleveland, DeBerry, Emory, Hartley County, Hubbard, Kittrell, Maverick County, Millican, Rains County, and Rowlett.
University of Texas Press, 2020, 411 pages
976.4 C131T 2020

 

6. Texas Water Law: A Legal Research Guide
By Tobe Liebert
Provides guidance on researching Texas water law. Offers a short introduction on classifying surface water and groundwater and water use rights in Texas. Cites the statutory basis, duties, and regulations related to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Includes sections on relevant secondary sources and major state legislation and a glossary.
William S. Hein & Co., Inc., 2020, 47 pages
346.04691 L716W 2020

 

1. Chasing Success and Confronting Failure in American Schools
By Larry Cuban
Examines what constitutes educational success in the United States. Argues that American education historically, both in terms of academic achievement metrics and reform efforts, has not been "stable nor consistent." Considers multiple factors that complicate academic success such as politics and policies, social dynamics, school district leadership, and differences in communities.
Harvard Education Press, 2020, 260 pages
363.33 ES74F 2020

 

2. 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

 

3. The Governor and the Colonel: A Dual Biography of William P. Hobby and Oveta Culp Hobby
By Don Carleton
Chronicles the lives and careers of William P. Hobby and Oveta Culp Hobby. Details their political, journalistic, and public service careers, from William's duties as the 27th Governor of Texas and his success in creating a major media empire to Oveta's role in leading the Women's Army Corps and her subsequent rise on the national stage in a presidential cabinet position. Illustrates how the esteemed husband-and-wife "Hobby Team" had a distinct impact on Texan and American history in politics, journalism, war, and philanthropy across the twentieth century.
Briscoe Center for American History, 2020, 885 pages
976.4 C192G 2021

 

4. South to Freedom: Runaway Slaves to Mexico and the Road to the Civil War
By Alice L. Baumgartner
Examines how thousands from the South Central United States escaped slavery by crossing the southern border into Mexico after the country's abolition of the practice in 1837. Details how political relations between Mexico and the U.S., including Southerners' hopes of annexing Texas and invading Mexico, only fueled a sectional crisis in the United States. Highlights the experiences of individuals from the time, including enslaved persons seeking their freedom.
Basic Books, 2020, 365 pages
973.7115 B348S 2020

 

5. Governor's Budget, 2022-2023
By Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Presents Governor Greg Abbott's budget priorities for the fiscal 2022-2023 biennium, which include investment in healthcare, workforce development and unemployment, public safety, election security and education. Discusses the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests specific areas where federal and state funding should be directed to strengthen pandemic relief.
Office of the Governor, 2021, 31 pages
L1800 B859 2022-23G

 

6. Sources of Revenue: A History of State Taxes and Fees in Texas, 1972-2020
By Texas Comptroller's Office
Reviews the history and current status of Texas revenue sources back to 1972 in a easy-to-navigate document. Includes an overview of major taxes, fees, and assessments by subject, along with helpful tables and indexes. Lists major revenue related bills by session. Provides a resource that allows policy makers and the general public access to an often complicated and difficult topic — taxes.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Fiscal Management Division, 2021, 272 pages
C2600.8 SO85 2021

 

1. Essentials of Texas Firearms Law
By Massad F. Ayoob
Reviews the use of firearms and the constitutionally protected rights of gun owners in Texas. Details both federal and Texas firearms laws, licensing practices, federal court cases revolving around the Second Amendment, civil liability, and places where firearms are prohibited.
State Bar of Texas, 2020, 333 pages
363.33 ES74F 2020

 

2. Gerrymandering Texas
By Steve Bickerstaff
Recounts the history of redistricting and gerrymandering in the state of Texas, with emphasis on the role legislative apportionment played in political and demographic power shifts across the state. Comments on key redistricting cases at the state and federal level, with some personal notes on cases worked by Steve Bickerstaff during his long career in Texas politics. Makes recommendations for redistricting Texas in 2021 and for the reduction of gerrymandering practices. Includes an extensive bibliography of Texas redistricting cases broken down by decade.
Texas Tech University Press, 2020, 247 pages
328.73073 B472G 2020

 

3. The Merit Myth: How Our Colleges Favor the Rich and Divide America
By Anthony P. Carnevale
Argues there are extreme inequities in American higher education and that the policies of elite colleges are contributing to the educational divide among students. Addresses bias in testing and admissions, merit-based aid, affirmative action, and how colleges are evaluated. Proposes an assortment of measures to make higher education more fair and provide academic opportunity for all students, including guaranteeing a public K-14 education.
The New Press, 2020, 302 pages
378.1 C217M 2020

 

4. The Starting Line: Latina/o Children, Texas schools, and National Debates on Early Education
By Robert Crosnoe
Studies a large urban school district in Texas to determine how early education programs result in varying degrees of success and failure for children from socially and economically disadvantaged environments. Focuses on the complex connections between classrooms, schools, families, and communities. Examines programs specifically serving Latinas and Latinos to discuss the broader topics of income inequality, academic opportunity, and the changing demographics of the United States.
University of Texas Press, 2020, 167 pages
371.829 C884S 2020

 

5. The Sum of the People: How the Census Has Shaped Nations, from the Ancient World to the Modern Age
By Andrew Whitby
Recounts the history of census taking, with an emphasis on how the collection of quantitative population data has changed the relationship between individuals and the state. Includes chapters on the misuse of population records by the Nazi regime, the connection of censuses to population control strategies, and problems caused by undercounting. Concludes with a discussion of the controversy surrounding the "citizenship question" on the 2020 U.S. census.
Basic Books, 2020, 356 pages
310.9 W581S 2020

 

6. Texas vs. California: A History of Their Struggle for the Future of America
By Kenneth P. Miller
Examines the rivalry between Texas and California as "the leaders of Red and Blue America," both populous and economically powerful states with oil wealth and large Latino populations. Describes how each state constructed opposing, comprehensive policy models, one progressive and the other conservative, through a focus on five areas – tax, labor, energy and environment, poverty, and social issues. Includes a brief preface on the effect of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the two states.
Oxford University Press, 2020, 372 pages
306.20973 M615T 2020

 

7. The Trillion Dollar Revolution: How the Affordable Care Act Transformed Politics, Law, and Health Care in America
By Ezekiel J. Emanuel
Compiles the opinions of academics, policy-makers, and doctors on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ten years after its passage. Includes essays by Democrats and Republicans, as well as legal, financial, and health policy experts. Examines how the ACA has affected the three-trillion-dollar health care sector and the economy, its interaction with the courts, and its influence on American politics. Looks ahead to how the ACA may continue to impact health care reform, including the right to care and drug pricing regulation.
Public Affairs, 2020, 449 pages
368.382 EM11T 2020