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Current Articles & Research Resources, May 9

May 9

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • See how different types of natural disasters affect different parts of the country. (The Washington Post, April 25, 2019)
  • Find free online courses in law and legal topics. (Inner Temple Library, April 2019)
  • Examine statistics about pregnancy-related deaths. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2019)
  • Explore aspects of voter turnout for the 2018 midterm elections. (Pew Research Center, May 1, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Facecourt?" By Mark F. Walsh. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, May 2019, pp. 52-57.
    Discusses Facebook's plans to create a judicial-like body to address controversial speech. Examines how this oversight board will function and how board members will be chosen.
  • "The next George Bush." By Elaine Plott. Atlantic Monthly, May 2019, pp. 22-25.
    Profiles George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner, and discusses his role in the future of Republican politics.
  • "Craft breweries closer to winning on to-go sales." By Kimberly Reeves. Austin Business Journal, May 3, 2019, p. 15.
    Discusses proposed legislation that would permit statewide sales of craft beer to go. Includes comments by Representative Eddie Rodriguez and mentions Representative Chris Paddie.
  • "Will Muny be saved?" By Daniel Salazar. Austin Business Journal, May 3, 2019, pp. 4-7.
    Reports on efforts to protect Austin's historic Lions Municipal Golf Course from development. Mentions Senator Kirk Watson and SB2553, 86th Legislature, relating to the creation of the Save Historic Muny District.
  • "The US southern border, in numbers." By Henry Gass. Christian Science Monitor, April 15, 2019, pp. A8-A10, A12, A14.
    Profiles Amarillo College's No Excuses Poverty Initiative which partners with the community to offer a wide array of support to students. Explains this program recognizes that poverty and not academic demands can pose the biggest barrier to student success in community colleges.
  • "Parsing prayer policies." By Liz Hayes. Church & State, May 2019, pp. 4-6.
    Reports on governmental entities' struggles to comply with the 2014 United States Supreme Court decision, Town of Greece v. Galloway, which set new standards on government-sponsored invocations.
  • "Funding water infrastructure: How Texas pays for water."  By Spencer Grubbs and Shannon Halbrook. Fiscal Notes, April 2019, pp. 7-10.
    Reviews water infrastructure financing procedures and notable projects of the State Water Implementation Fund of Texas (SWIFT), passed in 2013 as a result of devastating droughts (SJR1 and HB4, 83rd Legislature, R.S.).
  • "How childhood has changed for tweens." By Phyllis L. Fagell. Phi Delta Kappan, April 2019, pp. 8-12.
    Considers three ways in which childhood is different for 21st century adolescents. Discusses the effects of an increased use of technology, mental health challenges, and an awareness of identity issues.
  • "Can rooftop solar survive declining subsidies?: A case study in Louisiana." By Greg Upton. Public Utilities Fortnightly April 2019, pp. 52-54.
    Summarizes a recent white paper from Louisiana State University's Center for Energy Studies. Provides a case study of recent policy changes in Louisiana regarding subsidies for solar energy installations. (Related document at: http://lpscstar.louisiana.gov/star/portal/lpsc/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=822f39ca-66c5-4b39-a5bd-e5c5b76dbcc1).
  • "Solar, a strategy for decarbonizing the grid and increasing resilience: For your consideration." By Joe Song and Sachu Constantine. Public Utilities Fortnightly, April 2019, pp. 48-51.
    Explores how solar energy systems can help improve the electric grid. Points out the performance of commercial solar in the wake of Hurricane Florence.
  • "When gun control is censorship." By Zach Weissmueller. Reason, May 2019, p. 42-29.
    Interviews Paloma Heindorff, the recently installed chief of Defense Distributed, the Austin-based company that gained notoriety by making a usable plastic handgun with a 3D printer. Presents her views on the company's ongoing legal battles dealing with digital gun-making.
  • "Warning signs." By Christopher Collins. Texas Observer, May/June 2019, pp. 12-19.
    Investigates the high rate of suicide in rural Texas and the barriers to mental health care that are worsening the crisis.
  • "Contrasting costs." By Ali Anari. Tierra Grande, April 2019, pp. 2-5.
    Investigates the high rate of suicide in rural Texas and the barriers to mental health care that are worsening the crisis.
  • "Public spending on infants and toddlers in six charts: A kids' share brief." By Julia B. Isaacs, et al. Urban Institute Brief, May 6, 2019, pp. 1-11.
    Summarizes federal and state spending on infants and toddlers through programs and tax reductions. Finds lower levels of state and local spending on this age group.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on May 9, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1084 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 2

May 2

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • Examine guidance related to addressing natural disaster debris . (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 2019)
  • Review figures related to the cost of war to the U.S. since 9/11. (Congressional Research Service, April 18, 2019)
  • Check by VIN whether a vehicle is under a recall. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, accessed May 1, 2019)
  • Read a recent report of the Texas Women's Health Program. (Texas Health and Human Services Commission, May 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "It's time for states to invest in infrastructure (2019)." By Elizabeth C. McNichol. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Updated March 19, 2019, pp. 1-22. (Note length)
    Discusses the critical need for state investments in public infrastructure, including transportation, roads, bridges, airports, public buildings, and water and sewer treatment systems, and the economic, business, and environmental benefits of infrastructure improvement. Includes a 50-state table of state and local capital spending by state since 2000 as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), with Texas at 2.14 percent for 2016.
  • "Former student aid." By Jacob Fischler. CQ Weekly, April 1, 2019, pp. 27-29.
    Addresses oversight of the student loan industry at the state level. Discusses states' legislative efforts to require student loan servicers to be licensed by state-level agencies.
  • "The future of cars: Charging ahead." Economist, April 20th-26th, 2019, pp. 57-59.
    Presents an optimistic forecast for increased production and sales of electric vehicles, noting major car companies are rethinking their established business models.
  • "Minimum wages: Floored."  Economist, April 27th-May 3rd, 2019, pp. 21, 24.
    Reports state and local governments are causing the federal pay floor to be left behind, making the federal minimum wage irrelevant.
  • "States' progress uneven in K-12 funding battles." By Daarel Burnette II. Education Week, April 17, 2019, pp. 14, 16.
    Provides a snapshot of current legislative efforts by states, including Texas, to overhaul their antiquated and often inequitable systems of funding K-12 schools.
  • "Texas water: Planning for more." By Spencer Grubbs, et al. Fiscal Notes, April 2019, pp. 1, 3-6.
    Analyzes trends in Texas water supply and demand, surface water infrastructure, and the continuing challenge presented by droughts.
  • "Amending the Peeler doctrine: How to provide convicted plaintiffs an equitable opportunity to pursue legal malpractice claims."  By Nicholas Van Cleve. Houston Law Review, 2019, pp. 927-963. (Note length)
    Examines the inability of convicted plaintiffs to sue for legal malpractice and the evolution of the Peeler doctrine since the 1995 Texas Supreme Court ruling. Compares the doctrine to rules in other states and suggests alternatives to the present system in Texas.
  • "CARB [California Air Resources Board] calls for improved monitoring around refineries, communities." By Nick Snow. Oil and Gas Journal, April 1, 2019, pp. 29-30.
    Reports on California's efforts to monitor air quality around refineries. Notes that these efforts resulted from a fire that raised concerns regarding emergency preparedness. References recommendations from a recent report.
  • "Recession graduates: The long-lasting effects of an unlucky draw." By Hannes Schwandt. Policy Brief (Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research), April 18, 2019, pp. 1-4.
    Examines the effects of temporary economic fluctuations on socioeconomic status, health, and mortality.
  • "Environmental responsibility: The cornerstone of public power." By Betsy Loeff. Public Power, March/April 2019, pp. 38-42.
    Looks at the different ways three public power utilities have implemented sustainable initiatives. Refers to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Affordable Clean Energy rule.
  • "It's time to update public financing of public infrastructure." By John Godfrey. Public Power, March/April 2019, p. 45.
    Argues that Congress should modernize bonds as a way to update public infrastructure financing.
  • "The flood next time." By Gus Bova. Texas Observer, May/June 2019, pp. 20-25.
    Discusses flooding risks of the proposed border wall for the Rio Grande floodplain to Texas counties and Mexico. Argues a lack of transparency has prevented input from local officials on any detailed plans for the border wall and has increased the probability of devastating flooding in their communities.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on May 2, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 923 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, April 25

Apr 25

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • Explore agricultural activity in America. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, April 11, 2019)
  • Examine recent statistics related to school crime and safety. (National Center for Education Statistics, April 2019)
  • Consider how access to special education varies by state. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, April 2019)
  • See how Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas have become some of the most populous in the nation. (U.S. Census Bureau, April 18, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "How much immigration is too much?" By David Frum. Atlantic Monthly, April 2019, pp. 64-74.
    Argues effective immigration policy can make the United States a stronger, richer country for newcomers and long-settled citizens. Suggests replacing the current patchwork of policies with a new policy focusing on reducing immigration and selecting immigrants more carefully.
  • "Going green: Marijuana policy impacts on state budgets." By Lisa McKinney. Capitol Ideas, Issue 1 2019, pp. 14-15.
    Describes the marijuana legalization process in Massachusetts and Colorado and the increased tax revenue to state budgets. Notes a recent analysis by New Frontier Data showing a full federal legalization of marijuana would generate $108 billion over seven years.
  • "Three new ways for Congress to legalize illegal immigrants." By Alex Nowrasteh and David J. Bier. CATO Briefing Papers, April 10, 2019, pp. 1-6.
    Offers innovative proposals that overcome some of the political objections to granting legal status to illegal immigrants: tiered legalization, rolling legalization, and amnesty with limited family sponsorship.
  • "The revival of 'made in the USA'." By Laurent Belsie. Christian Science Monitor, April 8, 2019, p. 1.
    Highlights the rise in manufacturing jobs under the Obama and Trump administrations in terms of whether the momentum will continue and how tariffs might affect these jobs.
  • "Teaching or preaching?" By Rob Boston. Church & State, April 2019, pp. 10-13.
    Examines school district curricula for Bible literacy classes. Finds that state legislation often outlines evangelistic goals, making objective instruction elusive. Mentions HB1287, 80th Texas Legislature, relating to the academic study of the Bible in public schools. (Report at: http://a.tfn.org/site/DocServer/TFNEF_ReadingWritingReligionII.pdf?docID=3481)
  • "Will home sales prices become public?" By Kimberly Reeves. Dallas Business Journal, April 12, 2019, p. 2.
    Discusses HB1036, 86th Legislature, relating to mandatory sales price disclosure in real property sales. Includes comments by Representatives Michelle Beckley and Trey Martinez Fischer.
  • "Abortion controls: In a heartbeat."  Economist, April 13th-19th, 2019, p. 27.
    Examines whether the rush of state-level heartbeat bills will achieve pro-lifers' goal — getting the United States Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue and using one of these bills to overturn Roe v. Wade.
  • "Teaching migrant children." By Kavitha Cardoza. Education Week, April 10, 2019, pp. 12-16.
    Addresses the impact of migrant children, who have sought asylum in the United States, on public schools. Profiles several migrant students and their experiences in public schools across the nation, including Texas.
  • "Little public support for reductions in federal spending." By Pew Research Center. Internet Resource, April 11, 2019, pp. 1-29. (Note lenth)
    Reports findings from a Pew Research Center survey on federal spending across thirteen government program areas. Analyzes partisan differences in spending increases and the size and scope of the federal government.
  • "Parsing the waters." By Charles N. Herrick. Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2019, pp. 77-83.
    Provides a history of federal legislation related to the reclamation and protection of wetlands. Discusses recent changes to domestic wetlands policy and provides recommendations for future legislation and management.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on April 25, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 956 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, April 18

Apr 18

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • Find election dates for 2019. (Texas Secretary of State, accessed April 17, 2019)
  • Track news updates from the Texas Department of State Health Services. (Texas Department of State Health Services, accessed April 17, 2019)
  • Consider recent approaches to changing the situation at the border. (The Heritage Foundation, April 11, 2019)
  • Read about America's infrastructure workforce. (Brookings, April 16, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Policymakers bet on sports wagering." By Lisa McKinney. Capitol Ideas, Issue 1 2019, pp. 12-13.
    Discusses the United States Supreme Court's May 2018 ruling in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association and potential state legalization of sports betting.
  • "CBD goes mainstream." Consumer Reports, May 2019, pp. 44-50.
    Examines the results of a survey on cannabidiol [CBD], a compound extracted from hemp and marijuana. Provides insights into who is using CBD, why they use it, and how effective they say it is.
  • "Corporate crises: The new age of corporate scandals." Economist, April 6th-12th, 2019, pp.51-53.
    Discusses the rise in corporate misconduct and scandals, including those involving Boeing, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, and Facebook. Suggests the abatement of three forces that constrained corporate conduct — regulation, litigation, and competition — has increased the incentive for firms to take more risks.
  • "State ESSA report cards fall short, asserts data-transparency group." By Daarel Burnette II. Education Week, April 10, 2019, pp. 21, 25.
    Summarizes results of a study conducted on how well states are collecting and reporting required school data under the Every Student Succeeds Act [ESSA]. Notes Texas is still not complying with ESSA's reporting requirements in teacher effectiveness and student discipline.
  • "Selling AI: The case of fully autonomous vehicles." By Diane E. Bailey and Ingrid Erickson. Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2019, pp. 57-61.
    Examines claims that autonomous vehicles are the sole means of reducing motor vehicle deaths. Discusses the "Safe System" approach to improving traffic safety through both technological advances and improvements to road infrastructure. (Related document at: http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/912871516999678053/Report-Safe-Systems-final.pdf)
  • "Retirement insecurity 2019: Americans' views of the retirement crisis." By Diane Oakley and Kelly Kenneally. National Institute on Retirement Security, March 2019, pp. 1-28. (Note length)
    Presents public opinion poll findings on retirement issues in the United States, including pension plans for state and local government employees.
  • "Keeping up the pace: State, city, and private sector transportation decarbonization."  By Fatima Maria Ahmad. Natural Resources & Environment, Spring 2019, pp. 40-44.
    Highlights state and regional efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, including: cap-and-invest programs, electronic vehicle charging corridors, and zero emissions vehicles programs. Discusses private sector efforts and opportunities to meet new demand with electric vehicle development and charging infrastructure.
  • "Under the gun." By Paige Williams. New Yorker, April 8, 2019, pp. 26-32.
    Highlights the "Stop the Bleed" protocol developed by the Hartford Consensus to provide rapid casualty care at intentional mass casualty events. Discusses the priority of training and equipping a wide variety of people with these techniques since the real first responders are bystanders at these incidents.
  • "The short-term outlook for the Texas economy." By M. Ray Perryman. Perryman Report and Texas Letter, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 1-3, 6.
    Discusses factors that are contributing to the growth of the Texas economy, as well as key patterns affecting future performance over the 2018-2023 period.
  • "Bill looks to end noncompetes." By Jessica Corso. San Antonio Business Journal, March 29, 2019, pp. 8.
    Highlights HB1522, 86th Legislature, which would bar staffing agencies at oil and gas companies from requiring workers sign noncompete agreements.
  • "Position as top exporting state exposes Texas to shifting trade policy." By Jesus Canas and Stephanie Gullo. Southwest Economy (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), First Quarter 2019, pp. 3-7.
    Analyzes Texas' comparative trade advantage, especially in energy-related manufacturing and oil and gas mining. Describes how trade policy uncertainty and steel and aluminum tariffs could disrupt and affect the world standing of Texas manufacturing.
  • "Back from the brink." By Savannah Gilmore and Erica Mackellar. State Legislatures, March/April 2019, pp. 8-11, 13.
    Reports federal tax reforms, United States Supreme Court decisions, and legislative changes to states' tax policies have resulted in net revenue increases, placing states in a better position to weather the next economic downturn.
  • "Eminent domain works in Texas — for the takers." By Russell Boening. Texas Agriculture, April 5, 2019, p. 2.
    Discusses the eminent domain process in Texas and how it negatively affects land owners. Mentions HB991 and SB421, 86th Legislature.
  • "Results of the 2018 unfunded mandate survey."  Texas County Progress, April 2019, pp. 16-23.
    Reviews the effects various unfunded and under-funded mandates have on local government and property taxes. (Report at: https://31j8fe2l56f122iue1wuvve1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2018-Unfunded-Mandates-Book-Final_WebVersion.pdf)
  • "AIMing to save lives." By Sean Price. Texas Medicine, April 2019, pp. 21-23.
    Discusses maternal health initiatives that prevent maternal deaths in hospital settings. Highlights AIM Bundles, guidelines set up by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health [AIM]. Includes maternal health-related bills from the 86th Legislature.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on April 18, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1045 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, April 11

Apr 11

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • Read about proposed legislation in Congress that would prohibit the IRS from offering free tax filing online. (ProPublica, April 9, 2019)
  • Consider work zone safety on Texas roads. (Texas Department of Transportation, April 8, 2019)
  • Beware of phone scammers after your personal information. (Texas Health & Human Services, April 9, 2019)
  • See how well your science knowledge stacks up against other Americans. (Pew Research Center, March 28, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Dismal grades." By Lorelei Laird. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, April 2019, pp. 18-19.
    Reports the advent of legislatively-mandated school performance standards is helping school finance litigation plaintiffs convince courts that states aren't giving school districts the funding necessary to meet those standards.
  • "Do ecosystems have rights?" By Amanda Paulson and Henry Gass. Christian Science Monitor, April 1, 2019, pp. 16-17.
    Considers the rights-of-nature movement as embodied in the "Lake Erie Bill of Rights" recently passed by voters in Toledo, Ohio. Reviews the various legal principles that might be used to interpret such rights.
  • "Admissions officers didn't cause the scandal. But they helped shape the culture that spawned it." By Eric Hoover. Chronicle of Higher Education, March 22, 2019, pp. A10-A11.
    Explains the recent college admission scandal uncovered the wealth and privilege that have long been a part of college admission issues in setting up unfair advantages for higher-income students. Suggests this is an opportunity for colleges to examine more rigorously the inequities in current processes and procedures.
  • "Why thousands of college grads start their careers at a rental-car-company." By Beckie Supiano. Chronicle of Higher Education, March 15, 2019, pp. A10-A12, A14.
    Profiles the management-training program at Enterprise Rent-A-Car and its requirement that candidates have a bachelor's degree. Explains the company sees degree completion as evidence of competencies necessary to succeed in an entry-level job and move up.
  • "Joint resolution." By Jennifer Shutt. CQ Weekly, March 4, 2019, pp. 16-22.
    Discusses federal legislation to loosen the nation's marijuana laws and the unlikely coalition of lawmakers behind the effort for change. Addresses the growing acceptance of marijuana use, the disparities between federal and state laws, and the outlook for changing marijuana policy.
  • "Hanging with the anti-vaxxers: Sharp exchanges." Economist, March 30th-April 5th, 2019, pp. 34, 36.
    Considers how the pro-vaccine camp can respond effectively to those who oppose vaccines. Notes the growing influence of vaccine-choice political action committees.
  • "Fairness matters: A chart book on who pays state and local taxes." Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, March 2019, pp. 1-18.
    Analyzes the distribution of state and local taxes and the adequacy of tax systems to fund schools, health care, infrastructure, and other public services. Illustrates the tax burden in sales tax-reliant systems, especially for low- and moderate-income families. Includes Texas. (Related document at: https://itep.org/whopays/).
  • "Why do hundreds of US women die annually in childbirth?" By Anita Slomski. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), April 2, 2019, pp. 1239-1241.
    Investigates rising maternal mortality rates in the United States and underlying causes of pregnancy-related deaths. Reports 60 percent of maternal deaths are preventable and the leading cause of death varies significantly by race.
  • "The short-term forecast for the US economy." By M. Ray Perryman. Perryman Report and Texas Letter, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 1-3, 6.
    Highlights the latest forecast for the economy over the 2018 to 2023 period.
  • "Lower oil prices, tight labor markets to restrain Texas growth in 2019." By Keith R. Phillips and Judy Teng. Southwest Economy (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), First Quarter 2019, pp. 10-13.
    Presents an economic forecast of the Texas energy, manufacturing, and construction sectors for 2019.
  • "The final word: Dennis Bonnen." By Jane Carroll Andrade. State Legislatures, March/April 2019, pp. 37.
    Interviews Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen.
  • "An analysis of Texas jail bookings: How Texas counties could save millions of dollars by safely diverting people from jail." Appendix. Texas Appleseed, April 2, 2019, pp. 1-11.
    Analyzes jail booking records from large Texas counties (Bell, Collin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hidalgo, Jefferson, McLennan, Montgomery, Tarrant, and Travis), to describe who is being booked into jail, on what charges, and how long they are staying. Addresses how counties could safely reduce jail populations.
  • "Time and treasure: Faith-based response to Hurricane Harvey." By Noah Westfall, Erica Nelson and Bee Moorhead. Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy, March 10, 2019, pp. 1-10.
    Highlights the role of faith-based communities in Hurricane Harvey disaster response and recovery. Advocates a public/private collaboration for disaster response in Texas that would ensure financial accountability and transparency.
  • "Borders without enough doctors." By Sean Price. Texas Medicine, April 2019, pp. 30-37.
    Profiles El Paso physicians who volunteer their time to provide medical care for asylum-seekers along the Texas border. Reports their goal is to build a nationwide network of volunteer doctors.
  • "Goodbye to an aquifer." By Brantley Hargrove. Texas Monthly, April 2019, pp. 90-102.
    Discusses the effects of recent drought and population increase on the Trinity Aquifer and the availability of groundwater in Bell County and Williamson County. Contrasts the work of the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District in Bell County and the lack of a groundwater conservation district in Williamson County. Mentions HB1594, 86th Legislature.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

This entry was posted on April 11, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1255 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, April 4

Apr 4

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • Compare citation in lieu of arrest policies among the states. (National Conference of State Legislatures, March 18, 2019)
  • Track cases of EV-D68 and its association with acute flaccid myelitis. (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, March 29, 2019)
  • Consider whether automakers should be held accountable for auto accidents. (Regulation, Spring 2019)
  • Read about the gender wage gap by occupation. (Institute for Women's Policy Research, April 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "A jolt to the system." By Mary Ellen McIntire. CQ Weekly, March 25, 2019, pp. 14-18, 20, 22-23.
    Discusses how "Medicare for All" or a single-payer health care system could affect health care and the economy in the United States. Suggests health care will be a significant but divisive issue in the 2020 elections.
  • "New frontier in old war." By Sandhya Raman. CQ Weekly, March 4, 2019, pp. 23-26.
    Addresses medication abortions and the conflicts surrounding access to the procedure. Discusses pending litigation that could change the future of medication abortion.
  • "Cyberdefense for Texas state government: Public data systems, infrastructure under attack." By Jackie Benton. Fiscal Notes, March 2019, pp. 7-10.
    Reviews the tougher cybersecurity requirements and the state's implementation of the Texas Cybersecurity Act (HB8, 85th Legislature, R.S.) and the Texas Cybercrime Act (HB9, 85th Legislature, R.S.) and cybersecurity appropriations in the 2018-19 state budget. Interviews Representative Giovanni Capriglione.
  • "Texas cybersecurity: Protecting data systems: Texans lose big to cybercrime." By Courtney King. Fiscal Notes, March 2019, pp. 1, 3-6.
    Charts annual costs of cybercrime by industry sector and compares Texas to other states in terms of cybercrime victims and financial losses. Describes cybersecurity efforts in Texas and the labor shortage of information security analysts.
  • "Texas brew." By Marcie Richter. Fort Worth Business Press, March 25-31, 2019, pp. 12-13.
    Addresses efforts by craft spirits distilleries and breweries to lift restrictive laws relating to the sale of products to-go. Argues changes are necessary in order for these smaller craft businesses to succeed.
  • "2018 in review: Remote vendor nexus." By Steve Oldroyd and Todd Faciana. Journal of State Taxation, Spring 2019, pp. 21-26.
    Reviews sales-and-use tax developments of 2018 that affect remote vendors, including the United States Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair.
  • "Warning: The plastic crisis is about to get worse: Fracking triggered a production boom – with toxic consequences." By Zoe Carpenter. Nation, April 1, 2019, pp. 12-17, 26.
    Discusses expansion of plastics production and the petrochemical industry in the United States, including new and expanded facilities, pipelines, and shipping infrastructure. Highlights a dispute about Exxon's site for Project Yosemite on farmland north of Corpus Christi and citizen concerns in Portland, Texas. Mentions Governor Greg Abbott.
  • "A low cost LEGO house decree!" By Michael Hendrix. National Review, March 25, 2019, pp. 22-23.
    Considers modular construction as a way to alleviate the housing shortage by cutting construction time in half and reducing costs by up to 20 percent. Describes modular construction as offsite manufacturing of prefabricated units that are later assembled on-site.
  • "Scoot over: Get ready for rental mopeds." By Eric Boehm. Reason, May 2019, p. 17.
    Identifies rental mopeds as the next feature in the "micromobility" trend hitting cities. Suggests mopeds have advantages over scooters such as better visibility for other motorists, seating for two riders, higher speeds, and storage compartments for helmets.
  • "Gun-rights counties vow to resist new restrictions." By Matt Vasilogambros. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), April 2, 2019, pp. 1-7.
    Reports more than two hundred counties are pushing back against state legislatures — refusing to enforce new state laws that restrict gun access.
  • "STAAR wars." By Mimi Swartz. Texas Monthly, April 2019, pp. 50-60.
    Profiles educators and education advocates and their concerns with the readability level of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness [STAAR] test. Includes past efforts to study and reevaluate the reading section of the test.
  • "Black market wildlife." By Russell Roe. Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, April 2019, pp. 32-37.
    Investigates the illegal wildlife trade in Texas. Examines how illegally taken and smuggled wildlife can affect Texas' ecosystems.

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

This entry was posted on April 4, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1409 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, March 28

Mar 28

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • See how Austin tops the list of best cities for wildlife. (National Wildlife Federation, March 12. 2019)
  • Note the federal rule banning bump stocks became effective on March 26, 2019. (The Federal Register, accessed March 27, 2019)
  • Find judicial nomination statistics for U.S. district and circuit courts. (Congressional Research Service, March 21, 2019)
  • Get answers to all your bluebonnet questions. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, ©2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Texas may collect more online sales taxes." By Kimberly Reeves. Austin Business Journal, March 22, 2019, p. 18.
    Highlights SB70 and SB890, 86th Legislature, proposals creating a streamlined process to collect sales tax from out-of-state online retailers and setting up the mechanism for the remittance of payments. Includes comments by Senator Donna Campbell and mentions former Representative John Otto.
  • "Solving unsolved murders." By Patrik Jonsson. Christian Science Monitor, March 4, 2019, pp. 24-30.
    Explains over 250,000 unsolved murder cases have accumulated in the United States since 1980, with a current average of 40 percent of cases going unsolved. Discusses the causes of the increased caseload and new approaches to solving cold cases.
  • "Day care for all." Economist, March 9th-15th, 2019, pp. 26, 28.
    Suggests a proposal for nationwide publicly-funded child care centers would be less efficient than simple cash transfers to poor families with children.
  • "Immigrant health, value-based care, and emergency Medicaid reform." By Dhruv Khullar and Dave A. Chokshi. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), March 12, 2019, pp. 928-929.
    Argues that there are economic and public health advantages to states availing themselves of existing policy options to provide limited, value-oriented health care coverage (such as prenatal and dialysis-related care) to immigrant populations.
  • "Anyone's game: Sports-betting regulations after Murphy v. NCAA." By Patrick Moran. Legal Policy Bulletin (CATO Institute), March 11, 2019, pp. 1-10.
    Suggests the federal government should leave the regulation of sports betting to the states, as they have done for other types of gambling. Related information at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-476_dbfi.pdf.
  • "Mexican-American resistance to school segregation." By Jarrod Hanson and Ruben Donato. Phi Delta Kappan, February 2019, pp. 39-42.
    Examines the school segregation of Mexican-American children by highlighting five court cases (including two from Texas) that illustrate how local school officials made intentional decisions based on social status and race.
  • "Who benefits from increasing health insurance subsidies: Patients or providers?" By Marika Cabral. Policy Brief (Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research), March 2019, pp. 1-4.
    Finds that a little over half of Medicare Advantage subsidy increases are passed on to beneficiaries in the form of lower premiums or improved benefits — a pressing concern for seniors who depend on Medicare for health care coverage.
  • "Does storage increase carbon? Expect the unexpected." By Charles Bayless. Public Utilities Fortnightly, March 2019, pp. 54-58.
    Explains how energy storage transactions could actually increase carbon emissions. Related information at: https://inesazevedo.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/HIttinger_2015.pdf.
  • "Poll on paid sick leave hints at voters' power of change." By Tony Quesada. San Antonio Business Journal, March 15, 2019, p. 3.
    Examines a recent poll that showed 74 percent of Texas voters support municipalities requiring businesses to offer paid sick days.
  • "Rural America faces a housing cost crunch." By Tim Henderson. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), March 25, 2019, pp. 1-4.
    Discusses the problem of housing affordability, attributing the crisis in rural rental housing to the expiration of federal incentive programs. Points out Texas' Irion County had one of the largest household cost-burden increases in 2017.
  • "A field guide to the taxes of Texas." Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, March 2019, pp. 1-25.
    Provides a graphical overview of major Texas state and local taxes, including sales and use, motor vehicle sales, motor fuel, franchise, oil production, and natural gas production taxes. Describes revenue by source, future revenue growth, historical volatility, and major exemptions for each tax. Includes charts on local property and sales taxes.
  • "Rounds: News from America's best medical society." By Joey Berlin, Sean Price, and David Doolittle. Texas Medicine, March 2019, pp. 14-19.
    Summarizes highlights of the Texas Medical Association [TMA]'s recent advocacy concerns, including a pay bump for physicians seeing Medicaid patients, insurance reform, rural hospitals, maternal and children's health issues, and do-not-resuscitate [DNR] laws.
  • "Home economics." By Gus Bova and Christopher Collins. Texas Observer, March/April 2019, pp. 24-28.
    Examines how immigrants are reviving rural communities such as Dalhart, Texas, where most voters support President Donald Trump.

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

This entry was posted on March 28, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1030 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, March 21

Mar 21

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Accenture grilled over IT contract gone awry." By Kimberly Reeves. Austin Business Journal, March 8, 2019, p. A4.
    Reports on the delays and ballooning costs associated with the overhaul of the state's child support system. Includes comments by Representative Giovanni Capriglione.
  • "Infrastructure: Derailment in California." By Mark Niquette. Bloomberg Businessweek, March 4, 2019, pp. 42-43.
    Explores the costs and controversy related to the California bullet-train project. Contrasts the California project with the Texas Central Partners' Texas bullet-train project..
  • "How UT-Austin's bold plan for reinvention went belly up." By Lindsay Ellis. Chronicle of Higher Education, March 8, 2019, pp. A12-A14, A16, A18.
    Examines the University of Texas at Austin's Project 21, an initiative aimed at reimagining the undergraduate experience through a redesign of curricula and increased use of live, online classes. Suggests many problems led to the demise of the project, including a lack of clear direction, bureaucratic issues, and funding.
  • "Measles: Fever Pitch." Economist, March 9th-15th, 2019, p. 81.
    Provides an overview of measles outbreaks in America. Points out almost half of the counties in the United States have a vaccination rate lower than the level needed to prevent an outbreak.
  • "Texas politics: Twilight in Austin." Economist, March 9th-15th, 2019, pp. 23-24.
    Discusses Texas Republicans' change of tone and approach in the 86th Legislature and the move away from divisive social issues that marked the 2017 session. Includes comments by former House Speaker Joe Straus.
  • "Firearm policies that work." By April M. Zeoli and Daniel W. Webster. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), March 12, 2019, pp. 937-938.
    Examines policies that have been implemented with the hope of reducing firearm injury deaths, including prohibiting individuals who have committed violence in the past from possessing a firearm and deregulation of civilian gun-carrying policies. Argues that evidence indicates prohibiting high-risk individuals from possessing firearms is most effective.
  • "Defund it already." By Alexandra DeSanctis. National Review, March 11, 2019, pp. 35-37.
    Reviews previous attempts to defund Planned Parenthood from federal programs.
  • "What is the Green New Deal?" By Travis Kavulla. National Review, March 11, 2019, p. 14-16.
    Describes the body of the Green New Deal as being direct government investment in renewable energy coupled with progressive social policies. Argues instead for a Customer Empowerment Act that allows more choice for electric customers and suggests the marketplace is the best model for uniting customers with clean energy at an economical price.
  • "The myth of de facto segregation." Phi Delta Kappan, February 2019, pp. 35-38.
    Explains how racial segregation exacerbates student achievement gaps by concentrating children with the most serious challenges at the same schools. Argues prevailing patterns of residential segregation arose from specific government policies and not de facto personal decisions.
  • "Can victims' rights go too far?" By Matthew Harwood. Reason, April 2019, pp. 34-40.
    Reviews the background and rise of the Marsy's Law movement and its goal of increasing victims' rights in state laws. Details concerns about the laws' assault on due process and the presumption of innocence.
  • "Dubious diagnosis." By Charles Piller. Science, March 8, 2019, pp. 1026-1031.
    Examines the tenuous diagnosis of "prediabetes" and whether patients diagnosed with the condition benefit from treatment with pharmaceuticals.
  • "Mental health trails metal detectors in school safety dollars." By Christine Vestal. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), March 13, 2019, pp. 1-5.
    Examines the debate over how much state money to invest in school mental health services versus metal detectors and alarm systems. Mentions Governor Greg Abbott's school safety action plan and the Austin Independent School District's mental health centers.
  • "Farmers, ranchers advocate for eminent domain reform in Austin." By Jennifer Dorsett. Texas Agriculture, March 1, 2019, p. 12.
    Highlights Texas farmers' and ranchers' concerns regarding eminent domain. Mentions HB991 and SB421.
  • "Closing a loophole." By Joey Berlin.Texas Medicine, March 2019, pp. 36-38.
    Describes how some hospital systems may be circumventing the intent of SB1148, 85th Legislature, R.S., which puts the decision of whether to require MOC [maintenance of certification] into the hands of the physicians on staff. Calls for bill clarifying the statute.
  • "Dammed to fail." By Naveena Sadasivam. Texas Observer, March/April 2019, pp. 12-17.
    Investigates the failure rate of unregulated dams in Texas. Addresses legislation that removed state oversight of small dams in 2011. Mentions Representative Charlie Geren.

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on March 21, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1120 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, March 14

Mar 14

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • Read about the CDC's new study on e-scooter injuries. (CNBC, March 8, 2019)
  • See which states have laws that address medical balance billing. (National Conference of State Legislatures, March 2019)
  • Track Medicaid eligibility with a federal database for states offered by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. (Council of State Governments, March 12, 2019)
  • Consider differences between Medicare Fee-for-Service and Medicare Advantage. (The Manhattan Institute, February 28, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "K-12 school funding up in most 2018 teacher-protest states, but still well below decade ago." By Michael Leachman and Eric Figueroa. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, March 6, 2019, pp. 1-14.
    Analyzes trends in state K-12 school finance and per pupil spending since the 2008 recession, including the effect of recent teacher protests in Arizona, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and West Virginia on school funding levels. Mentions Texas state formula funding per student is now 20 percent under 2008 levels, adjusted for inflation.
  • "State-level data for understanding child welfare in the United States: Child maltreatment, foster care, adoption from foster care, kinship caregiving: Texas state profiles." Child Trends, February 26, 2019, pp. 1-8.
    Presents state and national data, including Texas state profiles, on child maltreatment, foster care, kinship caregiving, and adoption, for fiscal year 2017.
  • "Praying for sanity." By Rob Boston. Church & State, March 2019, pp. 11-12.
    Addresses common myths about the role of prayer, Bible reading, and religion in public schools.
  • "Texas leaves $4B on the table every year because of this policy, study finds." By Evan Hoopfer. Dallas Business Journal, February 22, 2019, p. 23.
    Highlights study produced for the Texas Association of Manufacturers that finds the state's aerospace and defense sectors could benefit economically if the Texas franchise tax is aligned with federal requirements in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
  • "Medicine: A higher purpose." Economist, March 2nd-8th, 2019, pp. 47-48.
    Examines the rising interest in the re-purposing of off-patent drugs. Considers whether the benefits outweigh high costs and regulatory obstacles.
  • "Social media and law enforcement — watching: The detectives." Economist, February 23rd-March 1st, 2019, pp. 28-29.
    Examines how the police track what people say and do online. Raises privacy concerns.
  • "Rethinking the structure of teacher retirement benefits: Analyzing the preferences of entering teachers." By Josh B McGee and Marcus A. Winters. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, March 2019, pp. 63-78.
    Explores the differences between two types of defined benefit retirement plans for teachers. Presents evidence that teachers in New York City and Philadelphia prefer the cash balance plan [CB], an alternative model to the final average salary [FAS] plan, which most public school teachers participate in today.
  • "Jungle warfare – Amazon HQ2 disclosure fights and battle over tax transparency." Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, March/April 2019, pp. 36-39.
    Discusses the legal battles and transparency concerns about the state and local tax [SALT] incentive packages offered to Amazon for its second headquarters. Notes the Amazon HQ2 lottery has led to increased attention on corporate financial and tax incentives generally. Uses Kentucky as a recent example of tax transparency conflicts.
  • "The jail health-care crisis." By Steve Coll. New Yorker, March 4, 2019, pp. 28-37.
    Considers the state of medical care for jail inmates and the increased use of for-profit companies to provide these services. Highlight's Texas' Sandra Bland Act as an example of reform in the care of the incarcerated.
  • "Side effects in education: Winners and losers in school voucher programs." By Yong Zhao. Phi Delta Kappan, February 2019, pp. 63-66.
    Reviews studies analyzing the benefits of school choice initiatives.
  • "The wall won't end pot smuggling at the border. Legalization will." By David Bier. Reason, April 2019, pp. 22-29.
    Argues smuggling of marijuana across the Mexican border has decreased due to legalization in the United States. Suggests the same principle should be applied to the illegal immigration problem.

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

This entry was posted on March 14, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 940 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, March 7

Mar 7

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

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

  • Consider the costs states bear in the wake of natural disasters. (National Conference of State Legislatures, February 25, 2019)
  • Explore the demographics of the United States Congress. (Brookings, March 4, 2019)
  • Find out who buys and sells your personal data. (Fast Company, March 2, 2019)
  • Track pedestrian traffic fatalities by state. (Governors Highway Safety Association, February 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252. 

  • "A new 'caravan' enters Mexico, a different welcome awaits." By Louisa Reynolds. Christian Science Monitor, February 11, 2019, p. 10.
    Profiles Mexico's new immigration policy allowing Central Americans to request a renewable one-year humanitarian visa. Explains the visa allows free movement and formal employment, and estimates 40 percent of those traveling with previous caravans requested asylum in Mexico.
  • "The new 'in loco parentis'." By Vimal Patel. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 22, 2019, pp. B35-B36, B38-B39.
    Considers the changing philosophy of in loco parentis, the idea that colleges should act "in the place of the parent," in their responsibility for students. Provides a sidebar highlighting court cases that have led to changing views.
  • "The rise of the mega-university." By Lee Gardner. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 22, 2019, pp. B28-B30, B32.
    Explores the role of large nonprofit, online institutions, such as Western Governors University, and explains how they are influencing higher education.
  • "Beer-to-go could get go-ahead." By Kimberly Reeves. Dallas Business Journal, February 22, 2019, p. 2.
    Comments on SB312 and HB672, 86th Legislature, legislation that would permit craft breweries to sell beer-to-go at their manufacturing facilities. Includes comments by Senator Dawn Buckingham and Representative Eddie Rodriguez.
  • "State environmental regulator goes to bat for faster emissions permitting." By Kimberly Reeves. Dallas Business Journal, March 1, 2019, p. 2.
    Reports the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality commissioner is seeking to close a funding gap in the state's expedited process for air permits, urging legislators to double the state's funding to $2.14 million.
  • "Opioids: The death curve." Economist, February 23rd-March 1st, 2019, pp. 21-23.
    Reviews the origins of the opioid crisis, charts the overdose rate since 1980, and comments on the slow and inadequate federal response to the crisis. Estimates the epidemic will continue for five to ten years, killing 50,000 people each year.
  • "Resisting the allure of gross receipts taxes: An assessment of their costs and consequences." By Garrett Watson. Fiscal Fact (Tax Foundation), February 2019, pp. 1-18.
    Discusses the history, increasing popularity, and economic impact of gross receipts taxes on businesses. Describes the complexity of Texas' margin tax.
  • "Health care spending slowed after Rhode Island applied affordability standards to commercial insurers." By Aaron Baum, et al. Health Affairs, February 2019, pp. 237-245.
    Offers Rhode Island as a case study of a state that has successfully slowed total commercial health care spending growth, while maintaining quality, through setting price controls on contracts between commercial insurers and hospitals and clinics.
  • "What businesses will lobby for at the Texas Capitol in 2019." Houston Business Journal, January 31, 2019, pp. 18-19.
    Examines key issues that business leaders will seek to address during the legislative session. Highlights Houston area and state-wide legislation that covers property tax reform, business incentive programs, and the minimum wage.
  • "How to survive a death crisis." By Maia Szalavitz. Nation, March 11/18, 2019, pp. 16-21.
    Discusses a "harm reduction" approach to the opioid crisis and notes overdose is now the leading cause of death for adults under 50 in the United States.
  • "Public pension plan investment return assumptions (2019)." National Association of State Retirement Administrators, Updated February 2019, pp. 1-8.
    Describes how investment return assumptions are established and evaluated in public pension funds, compared with public funds' actual investment experience. Includes Texas County & District, Texas ERS, Texas LECOS, Texas Municipal, and Texas Teachers in the appendix. Related information at: https://www.nasra.org/latestreturnassumptions.
  • "A 2-week weather forecast may be as good as it gets." By Paul Voosen. Science, February 22, 2019, p. 801.
    Explains why there are limits to global weather prediction models that prevent accurate forecasts from looking farther ahead than two weeks.
  • "The weather amplifier." By Michael E. Mann. Scientific American, March 2019, pp. 42-49.
    Considers how unusual patterns in the jet stream affect weather events in the United States.
  • "Farmers hope for hemp riches despite risks." By April Simpson. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), February 27, 2019, pp. 1-9.
    Highlights Kentucky's highly regulated approach in developing the state's industrialized hemp sector. Notes Texas is among states that have not enacted legislation to establish industrial hemp cultivation.
  • "Bills seek more transparency, fairness in eminent domain cases." By Julie Tomascik. Texas Agriculture, February 1, 2019, p. 16.
    Highlights SB421 and HB991, 86th Legislature, bills that could change how private entities with eminent domain authority must negotiate with landowners to acquire property before turning to condemnation.
  • "The future of the death penalty: The seeds of time." By John Charles Boger. Texas Tech Law Review, Fall 2018, pp. 75-94.
    Considers recent treatment of the death penalty by members of the current United States Supreme Court.

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

This entry was posted on March 7, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 945 views. Print this entry.

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