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Current Articles & Research Resources, September 20

Sep 20

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. 

  • Review the draft State Flood Assessment. (Texas Water Development Board, September 17, 2018)
  • Read a multi-state report on the legal challenges of social media for employers. (Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Social Media Practice Group, 2017-2018 edition)
  • Consider the scam call epidemic and the increase in scam calls to consumers' mobile phones. (CNET, September 14, 2018)
  • Explore an online edition of the Congressional Research Service's U.S. Constitution Annotated. (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, accessed September 19, 2018)

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

  • "Occupational perfection: Identifying the careers high in volume and pay." By G. Scott Thomas. Austin Business Journal, September 7, 2018, pp. 4-5.
    Points out how Austin compares nationwide in occupations that are highly represented and highly compensated.
  • "NYU's free medical school has lessons for higher ed." By Beckie Supiano. Chronicle of Higher Education, September 7, 2018, pp. A46-A47.
    Examines New York University's decision to offer full-tuition scholarships to all current and future students in the doctor-of-medicine program. Reports the school hopes this will bring more socioeconomic diversity to the school and allow graduates to choose practices in health care in parts of the country that are currently underserved.
  • "Charter partnerships could bring changes for teachers." Classroom Teacher (Texas Classroom Teachers Association), Summer 2018, pp. 20-22.
    Discusses benefits and risks of charter partnerships, which allow school districts to partner with charter schools or other approved entities to assist failing campuses.
  • "America's housing market: Fixer-uppers." Economist, September 15th-21st, 2018, pp. 72-73.
    Reports how technology companies such as Opendoor are replacing real estate agents by buying and selling homes directly, speeding up and simplifying the home sales process.
  • "The financial crisis: Unresolved." Economist, September 8th-14th, 2018, pp. 20-22.
    Explains how the financial system has changed since the collapse of Lehman Brothers ten years ago. Questions whether policymakers have learned the right lessons to prevent another financial crisis.
  • "Safety burden looks at start of new school year." By Evie Blad. Education Week, September 5, 2018, pp. 1, 15.
    Discusses school safety challenges and security measures, school violence rates over time, and how school districts are responding. Notes consideration of 261 new school safety bills in state legislatures across the country since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
  • "The US training system for physicians — Need for deeper analysis." By S. Claiborne Johnston. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), September 11, 2018, pp. 982-983.
    Calls for increased data collection and analysis efforts on undergraduate and graduate medical education. Suggests topics to be considered such as the physician shortage and the role of osteopathic schools and physicians.
  • "More immigration, less teen employment." By Steven Camarota. National Review, September 10, 2018, pp. 14-16.
    Discusses research on the decline of teen summer employment and suggests immigrants have displaced teens in the labor market. Related information at: https://cis.org/Report/2018-Shaping-Be-Another-Bad-Summer-Teen-Employment.
  • "Back to the blackboard." By Jill Lepore. New Yorker, September 10, 2018, pp. 86-88, 90-93.
    Focuses on the history and legal reasoning of Plyler v. Doe, a case beginning in Tyler, Texas and ending with a 1982 United States Supreme Court opinion, holding the state cannot deny students a free public education, regardless of immigration status.
  • "What Netflix and Amazon pricing tell us about rate design's future." By Lon Huber and Richard Bachmeier. Public Utilities Fortnightly, September 2018, pp. 60-63.
    Explores the possible benefits and criticisms of applying a subscription service business model to energy utilities. Report at: https://www.navigantresearch.com/reports/defining-the-digital-future-of-utilities.
  • "The evolution of dual credit." By Amy Magee. Texas Lone Star (Texas Association of School Boards), September/October 2018, pp. 26-29, 43.
    Presents information on the dual credit program in Texas. Discusses the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's current study of dual credit effectiveness. Related information at: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=D455C380-7BA9-11E8-AE230050560100A9. 
  • "Capitol matters." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, September 2018, pp. 32-35.
    Lists the Texas Medical Association's recommendations for addressing Texas' Medicaid managed care problems; offers next steps to take in developing telemedicine programs.
  • "Coming of age." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, September 2018, pp. 14-21.
    Extols the benefits of HJR3 and HB4, 78th Legislature, R.S., the Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act. Correlates the legislation's limits on medical liability suits with the record numbers of physicians settling in Texas and specialists filling voids in rural areas.

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 September 20, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 998 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, September 13

Sep 13

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. 

  • Be prepared in the event of a hurricane. (Office of the Texas Governor, accessed September 13, 2018)
  • Explore state regulation of short-term rentals. (National Conference of State Legislatures, September 2018)
  • Read about the benefits of walking. (Outside Online, September 10, 2018)
  • Review the process for appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Congressional Research Service, September 7, 2018)

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

  • "Center court." By Mark Walsh. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, September 2018, pp. 20-21.
    Discusses how United States Supreme Court justices rate on an ideological scale that does not rely exclusively on past votes.
  • "A new way to Uber." By Joshua Brustein. Bloomberg Businessweek, September 2, 2018, pp. 23-24.
    Profiles Uber's investment in the electric scooter market. Mentions how electric scooter businesses are navigating city ordinances and permitting restrictions.
  • "Contraception challenge." By Rokia Hassanein. Church & State, September 2018, pp. 4-5.
    Reports on a lawsuit challenging a settlement between the Trump administration and Notre Dame that allows the university to use religion to deny students and staff access to birth control. Related information at: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Complaint.pdf.
  • "Silicon Valley: A victim of its own success." Economist, September 1st-7th, 2018, pp. 19-22.
    Explains why Silicon Valley's preeminence as the epicenter of technology is on the wane, due in part to the technology industry's geographical diversification.
  • "Post-Wayfair options for states." By Joseph Bishop-Henchman, Hannah Walker, and Denise Grabe. Fiscal Fact (Tax Foundation), August 29, 2018, pp. 1-21.
    Reviews the United States Supreme Court's recent decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair and discusses a "Wayfair checklist" of how state laws on sales tax collection would be considered constitutional under the Court's standard. Categorizes Texas as a "steady yellow light," meaning the state should proceed only after making legislative changes, including membership in the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. Related information at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/17-494_j4el.pdf.
  • "Current eminent domain laws are fair for landowners." By Thure Cannon. Houston Business Journal, August 30, 2018, p. 42.
    Argues that the Texas pipeline industry has treated landowners fairly in cases of eminent domain. Suggests both sides need to work together to avoid costly litigation.
  • "Community health workers: Key partners in improving children’s health and eliminating inequities." By Sinsi Hernandez-Cancio, Shadi Houshyar, and Maria Walawender. Internet Resource, September 2018, pp. 1-16.
    Proposes the deployment and sustainable financing of community health workers [CHWs] into maternal and child health care delivery. Provides examples of ways CHWs have driven health equity for children and improve health outcomes for children of color.
  • "Hospitals and the unexpected impacts of Hurricane Harvey." By Wendy Lyons Sunshine. Internet Resource, July/August 2018, pp. 1-2.
    Recaps lessons learned by hospital administrators about where their medical facilities and staff were well-prepared for a disaster like Harvey and where they need to improve.
  • "Can't hardly wait – Cryptocurrency and state tax legislation." By Charlie Kearns and Dennis Jansen. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, September 2018, pp. 6-11, 48.
    Explains the basics of bitcoin and blockchain technology and explores recent trends in state cryptocurrency legislation, focusing on Vermont's "Blockchain-Based LLC" regime. Related information at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2018/Docs/ACTS/ACT205/ACT205%20As%20Enacted.pdf.
  • "Credits and incentives update: How does the economic policy of tax reform impact economic development in the United States?" By Michael Eickhoff. Journal of State Taxation, Fall 2018, pp. 19-20, 44.
    Discusses the effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on economic development initiatives, including creation of the Opportunity Zone program to incentivize capital investment in low-income areas.
  • "Nexus news: Quill's physical presence nexus requirement is gone: What now?" By Jane Summers Haas and Daniel L. Stanley. Journal of State Taxation, Fall 2018, pp. 5-10.
    Describes the effect of the United States Supreme Court's June 21 decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair overturning the physical presence standard for sales and use tax collection on remote and out-of-state sellers. Highlights reactions to the decision in the states, and various state initiatives to establish economic thresholds, rather than physical presence, for sales and use tax collection. Related information at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/17-494_j4el.pdf.
  • "The future of hours of work?" By John Pencavel. Policy Brief (Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research), September 2018, pp. 1-4.
    Considers whether American employers are likely to follow other countries' experiments with shorter, more accommodating work hours and whether shorter hours would affect the structure of earnings.
  • "Keeping pace with emerging technologies." By R. K. Pendergrass. Public Power, July/August 2018, pp. 16-23.
    Provides three examples of utilities, including Bryan Texas Utilities, that have turned to new technologies to keep up with the changes the industry faces.
  • "The impact of tax and expenditure limitations on municipal revenue volatility." By Tucker C. Staley. State and Local Government Review, June 2018, pp. 71-84.
    Finds that more stringent tax and expenditure limitations [TEL] at the state level result in greater volatility of municipal revenues, using data from the Fiscal Policy Space project that includes data from Texas cities. Discusses the history and general impact of TELs in the states.
  • "States see energy booms along with economic expansion." By Tim Henderson. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), September 11, 2018, pp. 1-5.
    Reports rising oil and gas prices over the past two years are boosting many states' economies. Notes Texas and New Mexico had the largest recent increases in oil production.
  • "Active shooters: FBI reviews behaviors that may signal impending violence." By Barry Thompson. Texas Banking, September 2018, pp. 13-15.
    Discusses demographic characteristics, firearms acquisition, and planning behaviors of active shooters, as identified in a June 2018 FBI report, A Study of Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the United States Between 2000 and 2013. Report at: https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/pre-attack-behaviors-of-active-shooters-in-us-2000-2013.pdf/view.
  • "Speaking out: State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst." Texas Builder, July/August 2018, pp. 28-29.
    Interviews Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst about tree mitigation, regulatory restrictions, transportation and water infrastructure funding, and the response to Hurricane Harvey.
  • "Safety, security strategies." By Dax Gonzalez. Texas Lone Star (Texas Association of School Boards), August 2018, pp. 28-29.
    Summarizes discussion on school emergency plans addressed in the House Committee on Public Education, which met on June 27, 2018.

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 September 13, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1029 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, September 6

Sep 6

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. 

  • Review President Trump's adjustments to federal pay increases. (The White House, August 30, 2018)
  • Read about the importance of natural light in the workplace. (Harvard Business Review, September 3, 2018)
  • Explore election laws related to alcohol. (National Conference of State Legislatures, August 23, 2018)
  • Consider the role convention centers play in communities. (Fiscal Notes, August 2018)

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

  • "Dual-credit classes serve some students in Texas well. But not all." By Katherine Mangan. Chronicle of Higher Education, August 17, 2018, p. A21.
    Highlights the Texas experience with dual-credit college classes. Presents the findings of studies by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the University of Texas System that show many students are well served but results may be dependent upon other factors. Report at: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=D455C380-7BA9-11E8-AE230050560100A9.
  • "Immigration: Crossing continents." Economist, August 25th-31st, 2018, pp. 16-18.
    Reviews the immigration policies and experiences of Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and America. Proposes four policies that can help maximize the benefits of immigration, minimize its costs, and boost public support for it.
  • "Hate in schools." By Francisco Vara-Orta. Education Week, August 22, 2018, pp. 1, 16-20.
    Examines how hate-related and bias incidents are affecting students, educators, and school climate in K-12 schools. Notes most students targeted by hate incidents attend schools in suburban areas.
  • "Labor's last stand: Unions must either demand a place at the table or be part of the meal." By Garret Keizer. Harper's Magazine, September 2018, pp. 23-32.
    Discusses recent United States Supreme Court rulings on organized labor and the political debate about public-sector labor unions. Considers current challenges in the labor movement in the Trump era, and the economic relationship between capital and labor.
  • "Medicaid/CHIP participation reached 93.7 percent among eligible children in 2016." By Jennifer M. Haley, et al. Health Affairs, August 2018, pp. 1194-1199.
    Reports that children's participation in Medicaid/CHIP rose between 2013 and 2016 to reach 93.7 percent, but that growth has slowed since 2016.
  • "One year after the storm: Texas Gulf Coast residents’ views and experiences with Hurricane Harvey recovery." By Liz Hamel, et al. Internet Resource, August 2018, pp. 1-53 (Note Length).
    Measures Gulf Coast residents' challenges with housing, financial assistance, health care, and mental health after Hurricane Harvey, and examines views on priorities and preparedness moving forward. Notes that most affected residents say they have not received financial assistance, or that the financial help they have received will cover very little of their losses.
  • "Work requirements for health coverage." By Andy Slavitt. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), August 28, 2018, pp. 746-747.
    Argues that Medicaid work requirements will harm three groups of people: those who work but cannot consistently maintain the required hours, individuals whose disabilities are not recognized by the state, and those who would get lost in the administrative paperwork requirements. Advocates for Montana's approach of linking Medicaid with job training resources.
  • "Supreme Court abandons physical presence standard: An in-depth look at South Dakota v. Wayfair." By Sarah Horn, et al. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, September 2018, pp. 12-17.
    Considers the practical effects of South Dakota v. Wayfair on state sales tax authority and revenue collection. Discusses state "economic nexus" laws in South Dakota, Florida, and New York, and state reporting and notice requirements for out-of-state sellers. Related information at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/17-494_j4el.pdf.
  • "'More important than motorcycles'." By Kevin D. Williamson. National Review, August 27, 2018, pp. 26, 28-29.
    Profiles reality star Jesse James and his move from California to Texas and his new gunsmithing business. Compares the regulatory climates of California and Texas and explains how the gun culture has evolved to a new focus on precision marksmanship popularized by late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and by craftsmen such as James.
  • "The truth about the Second Amendment." By Charles C.W. Cooke. National Review, August 27, 2018, pp. 32, 34-36.
    Reviews the various interpretations of the Second Amendment, from a collective right of states to an individual's right to bear arms, by examining a variety of historical sources.
  • "States make more progress rebuilding rainy day funds." By Barb Rosewicz. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), August 29, 2018, pp. 1-9.
    Compares states' progress in rebuilding and expanding their rainy day funds since the last recession.

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 September 6, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1229 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 30

Aug 30

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 election security issues related to the 2018 midterm elections. (Congressional Research Service, August 16, 2018)
  • Explore safe bicycle passing laws by state. (National Conference of State Legislatures, August 2018)
  • Review the updated Certification Revenue Estimate. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, July 2018)
  • Sign up for the Capitol Complex plan newsletter for updates on construction and parking around the Capitol. (Texas Facilities Commission, accessed August 29, 2018)

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

  • "21st century cures for the opioid crisis: Promise, impact, and missed opportunities." By Leo Beletsky. American Journal of Law & Medicine, 2018, pp. 359-385.
    Analyzes the impact of the opioid crisis response elements of the 21st Century Cures Act. Includes examination of the Opioid State Targeted Response [STR] grant mechanism and its implementation by different states.
  • "How Medicaid work requirements will harm rural residents – and communities." Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, August 22, 2018, pp. 1-2.
    Outlines briefly the potential effect of Medicaid work requirements on rural health coverage and access to rural health care.
  • "Improving customer service in health and human services through technology." By Sonal Ambegaokar, Rachael Podesfinski, and Jennifer Wagner. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, August 23, 2018, pp. 1-29.
    Examines the new phase of "client-facing technology" to streamline state and local government administration of eligibility, enrollment, and case management of programs supporting low-income families. Describes best practices by technology, including web-based tools, mobile-based technology, and call center tools.
  • "Carmaking in America: Rocky road ahead." Economist, August 25th-31st, 2018, pp. 51-52.
    Examines how the automobile industry is coping with the Trump administration's ongoing trade wars and President Trump's threats to impose a 25 percent tariff on all car imports.
  • "Construction technology: A bridge too far." Economist, August 18th-24th, 2018, pp. 67-68.
    Reports concerns that many bridges around the world that use reinforced concrete are deteriorating faster than expected. Report at: https://www.artbabridgereport.org/.
  • "Florida to create new database to stop school shootings." By Benjamin Herold. Education Week, August 22, 2018, p. 13.
    Addresses a new centralized database created by lawmakers in Florida as a means to prevent school shootings. Argues the law, which includes information from social media accounts, is vague and lacks adequate safeguards to protect the privacy and civil liberties of people.
  • "The deportation racket: Con artists are preying on undocumented immigrants in detention." By Micah Hauser. Harper's Magazine, September 2018, pp. 59-65.
    Describes the problem of notario fraud, including a legal scam perpetrated by a couple in Texas and the subsequent investigation by the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. Notes Texas has been particularly aggressive in pursuing notario fraudsters under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
  • "Direct primary care: One step forward, two steps back." By Eli Y. Adashi, Ryan P. Clodfelter, and Paul George. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), August 21, 2018, pp. 637-638.
    Explores the pros and cons of direct primary care [DPC], in which patients contract directly with a primary care physician to pay a recurring out-of-pocket fee in exchange for a defined set of primary care benefits. Argues that while the premises of DPC are good, it is not a scalable model to achieve systemic cost savings in health care payment reform.
  • "Senate GOP bill would amend key section of the Clean Water Act." By Nick Snow. Oil and Gas Journal, August 6, 2018, pp. 22-23.
    Describes recently introduced federal legislation, the Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2018, that would affect individual states under the Clean Water Act. Related information at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/3303.
  • "Shipping, market constraints poised to slow US crude export growth." By Christopher E. Smith. Oil and Gas Journal, August 6, 2018, pp. 53-56.
    Identifies current projects contributing to the accelerated growth of domestic crude exports, such as the expansion of the Port of Corpus Christi.
  • "Water quality: Data tools improve nutrient monitoring." By Karlin Danielsen, et al. Opflow, August 2018, pp. 16-19.
    Argues that real-time nutrient systems offer a way for communities to address algal blooms. Provides a case study of the application of this kind of technology to Lake Erie.
  • "FAA reauthorization: A step toward improving utility drone use." Public Power, July/August 2018, p. 42.
    Summarizes the drone provisions from introduced legislation related to the Federal Aviation Administration, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which would affect how utilities use drones. Related information at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4.
  • "Public health vs. private property in war on lead." By Rebecca Beitsch. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), August 23, 2018, pp. 1-8.
    Explains that conflicting rules regarding what can be done on public versus private property — and who can pay for it — present challenges for cities seeking to eliminate lead infrastructure within their water systems.

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 August 30, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1142 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 23

Aug 23

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 accessing legislation via smartphones has been on the rise. (In Custodia Legis, August 16, 2018)
  • Chart what's going on so far in 2018. (Recode, August 13, 2018)
  • Learn how to trace emails from the source. (MakeUseOf, August 20, 2018)
  • Read about how teens and parents manage time on smartphones and similar devices. (Pew Research Center, August 22, 2018)

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

  • "Threatening words." By David L. Hudson. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, August 2018, pp. 56-61.
    Reviews United States Supreme Court opinions that illustrate how the court has struggled to develop clear guidelines for determining when rants and raves — "true threats" — exceed the boundaries of protected speech.
  • "How ICE went rogue." By Franklin Foer. Atlantic Monthly, September 2018, pp. 56-70.
    Examines the growth of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] as immigration has become one of the highest priorities of federal law enforcement. Explores the heavy reliance on private contractors, with ICE employing more outside contractors than federal employees.
  • "Push to kill sick-leave mandate continues." By Daniel Salazar. Austin Business Journal, August 17, 2018, p. 4.
    Reviews the Texas Public Policy Foundation's lawsuit challenging Austin's sick-leave ordinance. Mentions an amicus brief filed on behalf of 29 state lawmakers who are part of the Texas Conservative Coalition. Related information at: https://www.texaspolicy.com/library/docLib/Sick-Leave-Amicus-Appellate-Brief.pdf
  • "Robin Steinberg is disrupting the bail system that keeps poor defendants in jail before trial." By Simon Montlake. Christian Science Monitor, July 30, 2018, pp. 39-40.
    Highlights the work of Robin Steinberg and her Bronx Freedom Fund, a revolving nonprofit fund paying bail for poor people. Explains the concept has expanded into the Bail Project that will operate in over 40 locations and has received funding as a TED Audacious Project. Includes a discussion of "bail disrupters," project assistants who track and assist low-income defendants to ensure they can appear for their court dates.
  • "Baylor used football program as scapegoat, says ex-director." By Sarah Brown. Chronicle of Higher Education, August 3, 2018, p. A21.
    Presents the views of Ian McCaw, former Baylor University athletics director, regarding the high-profile sexual-assault scandal that led to his resignation. Reports on a deposition in which McCaw claims board members and university administrators ensured the focus was on the football program in order to deflect from the more widespread failure to adequately address problems at their administrative level.
  • "Sick of confusing medical bills?" By Penelope Wang. Consumer Reports, September 2018, pp. 44, 46-52.
    Discusses the medical billing process. Points out how people can protect their finances before, during, and after a medical procedure.
  • "Land-value tax: On firmer ground." Economist, August 11th-17th, 2018, pp. 18-20.
    Considers the appeal of land-value taxes. Notes critics' concerns about their fairness, viability, and effectiveness.
  • "Voter purges: On election day, stay away." Economist, August 11th-17th, 2018, pp. 22-23.
    Discusses the dramatic increase in state voter purges in recent years. Report at: https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/publications/Purges_Growing_Threat_2018.pdf
  • "Impact of Medicaid expansion on coverage and treatment of low-income adults with substance use disorders." By Mark Olfson. Health Affairs, August 2018, pp. 1208-1215.
    Assesses the impact of expanded Medicaid eligibility on insurance and treatment rates for people with substance use disorders. Finds that while insurance rates increased in expansion and nonexpansion states, there was no corresponding increase in overall substance use disorder treatment in either category.
  • "Increasing fatality rates from preventable deaths in teenagers and young adults." By Lois K. Lee and Rebekah Mannix. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), August 14, 2018, pp. 543-544.
    Highlights recent trends of increasing numbers of teenagers and young adults dying from potentially preventable causes, such as drug overdoses, motor vehicle crashes, and firearms. Advocates for policies to prevent and treat opioid addiction, build safer motor vehicles and roadways, increase mental health services, and restrict access to firearms.
  • "Sharing is caring?" By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, August 2018, pp. 30-32.
    Discusses health care sharing ministries, an increasingly popular health insurance alternative. Calls for greater transparency from these ministries to help physicians and patients better understand how their health coverage works.

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 August 23, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1196 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 16

Aug 16

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 leading causes of death in rural areas. (National Conference of State Legislatures, July 30, 2018)
  • Explore the economic outlook for the United States. (Congressional Budget Office, August 13, 2018)
  • Track hate and extremism throughout the country. (Anti-Defamation League, ©2018)
  • Consider how Americans feel about getting news from major internet companies. (The Knight Foundation, ©2018)

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

  • "Hard hitting." By Julianne Hill. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, August 2018, pp. 16-18.
    Reports on litigation related to youth tackle football injuries. Notes several states have pulled or killed legislation proposing to ban the sport or prohibiting certain youth from participating in youth tackle football.
  • "Partial Medicaid expansions fall short of full Medicaid expansion with respect to coverage and access to care." By Jessica Schubel. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, August 13, 2018, pp. 1-10.
    Discusses recent proposals for partial Medicaid expansion in Arkansas, Massachusetts, and Utah, using section 1115 demonstration waiver authority.
  • "One school's fight to keep racial equity." By Stacy Teicher Khadaroo. Christian Science Monitor, August 6, 2018, pp. 18-20.
    Highlights City Garden Montessori, a charter school in St. Louis, and its mission to offer racial and economic diversity and an anti-bias, antiracist education. States it is one of 125 charter schools identified as "diverse by design" by the Century Foundation. Related information at: https://tcf.org/content/report/diverse-design-charter-schools/?agreed=1
  • "Academic-freedom statement alarms U. of Texas professors and sets off debate on campus." By Lindsay Ellis. Chronicle of Higher Education, August 3, 2018, p. A27.
    Highlights the argument over academic freedom carried out in court documents as part of the campus carry lawsuit brought by three University of Texas at Austin professors.
  • "Can a huge online college solve California's work-force problems?" By Karin Fischer. Chronicle of Higher Education, August 3, 2018, pp. A12-A15.
    Discusses the new California initiative to provide a wholly online community college, aimed at working adults, with the potential to become the largest provider of distance education in the nation. Explains the entity will only offer certificates or credentials, and not degrees. Highlights other online programs, such as Western Governors University.
  • "Commercialising autonomous vehicles: Gently does it." Economist, August 4th-10th, 2018, pp. 57-58.
    Highlights a six-month trial of self-driving minivans that began in Frisco, Texas this summer. Explains how startup Drive.ai, recognizing the limitations of today's technology, is making things simpler and safer by focusing on a limited area of the city and operating during daylight hours.
  • "Private equity: Healthy returns." Economist, July 28th-August 3rd, 2018, pp. 54-55.
    Explains why private equity and institutional investors are expanding into the health care market. Notes budget constraints are making governments more open to private capital and public-private partnerships.
  • "Texas landowners subsidize pipelines and powerlines." By Isaac Perez. Houston Business Journal, August 16, 2018, p. 42.
    Examines the efforts of several Texas organizations interested in reforming the eminent domain process.
  • "The health innovation we need." By Dave A. Chokshi. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), August 7, 2018, pp. 427-429.
    Provides a broad view of health and health care innovation, with examples of possible innovations in the domains of care delivery, public health priorities, and the role of government.
  • "Why early childhood education matters and why we should pay for it." By Elizabeth U. Cascio. Milken Institute Review, Third Quarter 2018, pp. 13-23.
    Identifies roadblocks to government support of early childhood education and care [ECEC]. Discusses the need to create more incentives for state and local funding of ECEC.
  • "The border at work." By Jerry Kammer. National Review, August 13, 2018, pp. 31-33.
    Argues the immigration system will not improve until there is a commitment to worksite enforcement and creation of a worker-verification system impervious to fraud.
  • "Examining the costs of paid sick leave besides wages." By Tony Quesada. San Antonio Business Journal, August 10, 2018, p. 3.
    Discusses the effects a mandatory city-wide sick leave ordinance would have on employers.
  • "FEMA to play long-term role in recovery from Harvey." By Rachel Brasier and Jesse Thompson. Southwest Economy (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), Second Quarter 2018, pp. 15-17, 20.
    Provides an overview of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's [FEMA] role in Hurricane Harvey recovery thus far, through public assistance and hazard mitigation grants. Notes future FEMA involvement will shift to long-term flood infrastructure improvements, including the "coastal spine."
  • "Hurricane Harvey: One year later." By Sean Price. Texas Medicine, August 2018, pp. 18-23.
    Describes the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the ensuing public health issues and mental health challenges. Notes that Harvey's full impact will not be known soon due to the lack of resources dedicated to evaluation.
  • "Hurricane Harvey: The way back." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, August 2018, pp. 24-29.
    Identifies lessons learned by physicians as they work to recover from Hurricane Harvey, such as the importance of removing computer equipment when evacuating, backing up patient medical records, and investing in supplemental flood insurance.
  • "Port of no return." By Michael Barajas and Sophie Novak. Texas Observer, August/September 2018, pp. 22-29.
    Examines how Port Arthur and its residents are recovering one year after the destruction of Hurricane Harvey. Argues that the recovery process is flawed and provides unequal recovery assistance to poor residents.

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 August 16, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 996 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 9

Aug 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. 

  • Explore sunset reviews of occupational licensing in Texas and other states. (National Conference of State Legislatures, July 2018)
  • Consider the quality and safety of tap water in the U.S. (NPR, July 27, 2018)
  • Note the deadline to apply for an emergency grant to repair Hurricane Harvey damage to historic sites is August 15. (Texas Historical Commission, accessed August 8, 2018)
  • Look up at the night sky this weekend to see the Perseid meteor shower. (Mashable, August 8, 2018)

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

  • "Tear gas to tweets." By Jessica Mendoza. Christian Science Monitor, July 30, 2018, pp. 24-30.
    Examines how protest movements have evolved since 1968, from attempts to raise public awareness to promoting change within government through increased representation. Comments that despite well-intentioned laws and changes in public opinion, these movements still tend to coalesce around race, gender, and inequality.
  • "The Dallas tech surge: Demand is climbing — and so are paychecks." By Brian Womack. Dallas Business Journal, July 27, 2018, pp. 12-14.
    Discusses the rising cost of business for tech firms in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
  • "Pollution and the law: Prosecuting Flint." Economist, July 28th-August 3rd, 2018, pp. 21-22.
    Explains the types of lawsuits that have been filed in response to the Flint, Michigan water contamination crisis. Considers the extent to which government officials can be held accountable for their actions on the job.
  • "Electronic health records associated with lower hospital mortality after systems have time to mature." By Sunny C. Lin, Ashish K. Jha, and Julia Adler-Milstein. Health Affairs, July 2018, pp. 1128-1135.
    Suggests that national implementation of electronic health records [EHRs] in hospitals should yield improvements in mortality rates, but the investment will take time to be realized. Notes that small and nonteaching hospitals appear to have the most to gain.
  • "The role of community health centers in addressing the opioid epidemic." By Julia Zur, et al. Internet Resource, July 2018, pp. 1-12.
    Examines findings from a 2018 survey of community health centers on activities related to the prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder [OUD]. Reports that most community health centers have seen an increase in the number of patients with OUD in the past three years, but they face many treatment capacity challenges in responding to the opioid epidemic.
  • "COST's principles of state business tax conformity with federal tax reform." By Douglas L. Lindholm, Karla Frieden, and Ferdinand Hogroian. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, August 2018, pp. 14-19.
    Summarizes the Council on State Taxation's [COST] principles of state business tax conformity with federal tax reform. Argues states should carefully analyze potential revenue changes and tax policy implications.
  • "Polysubstance abuse among adolescents in a low income, rural community: Latent classes for middle- and high-school students." By Roderick A. Rose, et al. Journal of Rural Health, Summer 2018, pp. 227-245.
    Examines rural adolescent substance use, noting that opioid misuse is associated with initiation of illicit drugs prior to age thirteen. Observes patterns of younger adolescents in certain groups turning to prescription drugs and inhalants.
  • "Fixing the hole when the rains come in: How to narrow the gap between coverage and damage in catastrophe insurance." Milken Institute Review, Third Quarter 2018, pp. 46-53.
    Discusses risk management in catastrophe insurance. Considers costs of natural disasters and the role of public policy to incentivize private financial institutions to manage risk.
  • "School district crisis preparedness, response, and recovery plans — United States, 2006, 2012, and 2016." By Judy Kruger, et al. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), August 3, 2018, pp. 809-814.
    Examines school districts' implementation of policies to improve school crisis preparedness, response, and recovery plans. Notes that large districts (greater than or equal to 10,000 students) were significantly more likely than were small districts (less than or equal to 4,999 students) to provide funding for or offer crisis preparedness training for school faculty, staff members, and students' families.
  • "Harvey highlights Houston MUD bond development funding." By Laila Assanie and Michael Weiss. Southwest Economy (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), Second Quarter 2018, pp. 3-7.
    Considers the possibility of funding new housing infrastructure with municipal utility district [MUD] bonds after the historic flooding from Hurricane Harvey. Discusses MUD creation, taxing powers, and the growing reach and influence of MUDs in the Houston housing market.
  • "Another use for drones: Investigating car wrecks." By Jenni Bergal. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), August 6, 2018, pp. 1-5.
    Reports more police agencies are using drones to reconstruct vehicle accidents, reducing staff time and the time roads are closed. Notes some states that require police to get a search warrant to use drones for surveillance are adding exemptions for crash reconstruction.
  • "Bordering on empty." By Naveena Sadasivam. Texas Observer, August/September, 2018, pp. 12-21.
    Argues climate change is having a significant toll on the Rio Grande and the water infrastructure of the Rio Grande Valley. Discusses how hotter, dryer weather affects cities and towns, irrigation districts, and the agriculture industry in the area.
  • "Price-formation studies." Texas Public Power, July-August 2018, pp. 5, 7.
    Summarizes two recent reports from the Energy Regulatory Commission of Texas [ERCOT] that address the Public Utility Commission's Project to Assess Price-Formation Rules in ERCOT's Energy-Only Market. Related information at: http://interchange.puc.texas.gov/Search/Filings?UtilityType=A&ControlNumber=47199&ItemMatch=Equal&DocumentType=ALL&SortOrder=Ascending.  Reports at: http://www.ercot.com/content/wcm/lists/144930/Study_of_the_Benefits_of_Marginal_Losses_FINAL.pdf  and http://www.ercot.com/content/wcm/lists/144930/Study_of_the_Benefits_of_Real-Time_Co-optimization_FINAL.pdf

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 August 9, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 967 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 2

Aug 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. 

  • Read about precautions to take if wildfire smoke is in your area. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 31, 2018)
  • Review how much it costs to run a state's prison system, state by state. (24/7 Wall St., July 26, 2018)
  • Consider what states are doing to combat robocalls. (Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), July 25, 2018)
  • Examine the facts related to 3D printing of guns. (The Weekly Standard, July 31, 2018)

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

  • "Income-share agreements: Higher returns." Economist, July 21st-27th, 2018, p. 57.
    Reports some universities are working with investors to offer students a different approach to paying tuition and fees — "income-share agreements" [ISAs]. Explains ISAs spare students the higher payments associated with private loans and lower their debt burden.
  • "U.S. Supreme Court and schools: 2017-18." Education Week, July 18, 2018, p. 20.
    Summarizes recent United States Supreme Court rulings on K-12 education, including school funding, immigration, teachers' unions, and an assortment of First Amendment issues.
  • "Regional transportation council looking at possible projects." By Paul K. Harral. Fort Worth Business Press, July 16-22, 2018, pp. 8, 10.
    Details the North Texas Regional Transportation Council's consideration of transportation initiatives based on hyperloop technology.
  • "New approaches in Medicaid: Work requirements, health savings accounts, and health care access." By Benjamin D. Sommers, et al. Health Affairs, July 2018, pp. 1099-1108.
    Assesses views from low-income adults in Indiana, Ohio, and Kansas (representing three different Medicaid policies) on health savings accounts, work requirements, and Medicaid expansion. Finds that current Medicaid innovations may lead to unintended consequences for coverage and access to health care.
  • "The prospective role of charity care programs in a changing health care landscape." By Matthew Ralls, Lauren Moran, and Stephen A. Somers. Internet Resource, July 2018, pp. 1-5.
    Explores the current and future role of charity care programs [CCPs] in offering and organizing free- and reduced-cost health care to individuals. Notes that CCPs predict an increased demand for services but have concerns about funding.
  • "The natural gas grid needs better monitoring." By Gerad Freeman, Jay Apt, and Michael Dworkin. Issues in Science and Technology, Summer 2018, pp. 79-84.
    Explains that outages affecting the natural gas pipeline system are not well-documented, nor are they tracked by the federal government. Discusses the reliability of the natural gas pipeline system and how it affects electric power plants.
  • "Potential policy approaches to address diet-related diseases." By Michael F. Jacobson, James Krieger, and Kelly D. Brownell. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), July 24/31, 2018, pp. 341-342.
    Suggests local, state, and federal jurisdictions, as well as private companies, take policy actions to address recent reports indicating higher obesity and sodium consumption rates.
  • "Lessons from the opioid epidemic: How public schools have become the safety net of last resort for traumatized children." By Zoe Carpenter. Nation, July 30/August 6, 2018, pp. 12-19.
    Examines the opioid crisis in West Virginia, the state with the highest rate of death by overdose: 43.4 overdose deaths per 100,000 compared with the national average of 13.3. Discusses the "atrophy of public services across small-town America," including the lack of counselors and family support in public schools and rural health clinics ill-equipped to handle addiction.
  • "McPolitics." By Yascha Mounk. New Yorker, July 2, 2018, pp. 59-63.
    Considers the transformation and homogenization of the two political parties into "nationalized" parties and away from an older system that saw interest and power at the local level. Argues nationalization has led to the "rise of two political mega-identities" and intense partisanship. Suggests common ground and moderation can still be found.
  • "Not just for lawyers: Environmental impacts of natural gas pipelines." By Ed Comer. Public Utilities Fortnightly, July 2018, pp. 42-45, 78.
    Discusses major legal disputes currently affecting the utility industry. Focuses on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's consideration of the environmental issues related to natural gas pipelines. Related information at:https://ceq.doe.gov/
  • "Underwater." By Jen Schwartz. Scientific American, August 2018, pp. 44-55.
    Explores the chronic and extreme flooding experienced in coastal communities along the Atlantic coast. Discusses buyout programs operated by local and federal governments to move people away from such areas.
  • "Power in the bank." By Daniel Shea. State Legislatures, July/August 2018, pp. 38-41.
    Points out the benefits of energy storage and the technology's limitations under current regulatory and market structures.
  • "Technology tests transparency." By Pam Greenberg. State Legislatures, July/August 2018, pp. 46-47, 49.
    Discusses how states are using technology to manage an increasing number of public records requests and to address the challenges new digital formats create.
  • "Home delivery: Where is all the new housing?" By Luis B. Torres and Wesley Miller. Tierra Grande, July 2018, pp. 2-5.
    Examines why new home inventories in Texas are below what is considered a balanced market. Attributes this imbalance, which is affecting housing affordability, to a variety of factors, including rising land prices, sluggish labor productivity, and regulations.

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 August 2, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1076 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, July 26

Jul 26

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 which airports have the least secure Wi-Fi. (Fortune, July 18, 2018)
  • Review the EPA's assessment of the response to the Flint water crisis. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, July 19, 2018)
  • Read about Google's Chrome browser flagging sites that don't use HTTPS. (ZDNet, July 24, 2018)
  • Consider U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's answers to questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee. (U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, July 21, 2018)
  • Explore a visual representation of spending on health care in the United States. (California Health Care Foundation, April 6, 2018)

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

  • "Security retrofit." By Charles Sosnik. American School Board Journal, August 2018, pp. 24-26.
    Offers suggestions on how older school buildings can be renovated to improve security and reduce incidents of school shootings.
  • "Employment and wages: Labour party." Economist, July 14th-20th, 2018, pp. 25-26.
    Explains the benefits of labor shortages. Suggests that a labor market in which firms must compete for workers should help resolve America's biggest economic problems — inadequate wage growth and slow productivity growth.
  • "Physicians' participation in Medicaid increased only slightly following expansion." By Hannah T. Neprash, et al. Health Affairs, July 2018, pp. 1087-1091.
    Provides data and analysis on primary care physician participation in Medicaid before and after the 2014 expansion. Reports that most physicians in expansion states maintained or slightly increased their Medicaid participation; there was no significant change among physicians in non-expansion states.
  • "Work to protect landowners from eminent domain laws continues." By Robert McKnight. Houston Business Journal, July 19, 2018, p. 46.
    Summarizes the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association's efforts related to eminent domain.
  • "Sales tax holidays: An ineffective alternative to real sales tax reform." By Dylan Grundman. Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, July 2018, pp. 1-5.
    Finds that sales tax holidays are poorly targeted and too temporary to change the regressive nature of a state's tax system in a substantial way.
  • "Trends and characteristics of occupational suicide and homicide in farmers and agriculture workers, 1992–2010." By Wendy Ringgenberg, et al. Journal of Rural Health, Summer 2018, pp. 246-253.
    Identifies patterns specific to suicide and homicide rates in the agricultural industry to aid in targeting prevention strategies.
  • "Red-state rumblings: After nearly a decade of Republican anti-tax 'experiments,' are voters fed up with being the guinea pigs?" By Bryce Covert. Nation, July 30/August 6, 2018, pp. 20-24.
    Examines the effects of recent large-scale tax cuts in Oklahoma, Kansas, and other Republican-led states on teachers, school funding, business creation, and job growth. Comments on the ensuing backlash by teachers in Oklahoma.
  • "Life after Roe." By Ramesh Ponnuru. National Review, July 30, 2018, pp. 14-15.
    Considers potential changes to the political landscape if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Predicts Congress would likely deadlock on any new laws, and therefore, state supreme courts and state legislatures would possibly control a variety of new laws.
  • "The big question." By Joshua Rothman. New Yorker, July 23, 2018, pp. 26-28, 30, 32.
    Discusses a variety of books and studies that explain why our "intuitive comparisons between the past and the present are unreliable," with many polls showing people believe the past was better despite data to the contrary. Suggests this view has affected our politics.
  • "Source water protection: Pursue sustainability to protect source water." By Adam West. Opflow, June 2018, pp. 20-23.
    Provides a case study of a water utility in Arkansas that uses sustainability principles and best practices to support water source protection efforts.
  • "How labor regulation harms unskilled workers." By Warren Meyer. Regulation (CATO Institute), Summer 2018, pp. 44-50.
    Suggests mass government regulation that raises the price of labor and limits business growth will prompt employers to turn to fewer, higher-skilled workers and automation.
  • "Autonomous vehicles: No driver ... no regulation?" By Joan Claybrook and Shaun Kildare. Science, July 6, 2018, pp. 36-37.
    Discusses autonomous vehicle [AV] technology and calls for some regulation of AVs. Points out recent fatal crashes involving AVs and explains that voluntary federal guidelines fall short of addressing the public's concerns about AVs.
  • "Finding common ground: School safety." By Ben Erwin. State Legislatures, July/August 2018, pp. 22-25.
    Reports on the different approaches state legislatures are taking to address school safety concerns. Notes more than 200 school safety bills and resolutions have been proposed since the shootings in Parkland, Florida.
  • "H-town: Houston and hurricanes." By Robert W. Gilmer. Tierra Grande, July 2018, pp. 6-9.
    Discusses the economic impact of eight major storms, including Hurricane Harvey, on Houston. Argues Houston's economy has proven resilient but flood management and infrastructure continue to be a challenge.

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 July 26, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 797 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, July 19

Jul 19

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 Judge Brett Kavanaugh, nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court by President Trump. (Congressional Research Service, July 10, 2018)
  • Explore this year's thought-provoking photography. (National Geographic, 2018)
  • Avoid spreading invasive species throughout area lakes. (Texas Parks & Wildlife, accessed July 18, 2018)
  • Consider some tips on swimming safety. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 5, 2018)

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

  • "The politics of patriotism." By Doug Struck. Christian Science Monitor, July 9 & 16, 2018, pp. 24-30.
    Considers the various definitions and meanings given to patriotism and what those might mean to people as they go about their daily lives.
  • "Universities are hotbeds of scholarship on mass incarceration. But are they doing enough to fix the problem?" By Marc Parry. Chronicle of Higher Education, July 6, 2018, pp. A14-A19.
    Reviews historians' scholarship on mass incarceration. Highlights recent events at Harvard University that reflect both the challenges and possibilities of educating incarcerated students and students who are former inmates.
  • "Immigration policy: When good men do nothing." Economist, June 30th-July 6th, 2018, pp. 23-25.
    Reviews the history of America's immigration system. Considers why repeated attempts at immigration reform have failed.
  • "Public transport: Missing the bus." Economist, June 23rd-29th, 2018, pp. 52-53.
    Reports the demand for mass public transport in many affluent cities is declining. States public transport is unlikely to disappear, despite fierce competition from ride-hailing, cycling, and driving options.
  • "How Obama K-12 policies have fared under Trump." By Andrew Ujifusa. Education Week, June 20, 2018, p. 20.
    Looks at which education policies initiated during the Obama administration have been "tossed out," are "on the hot seat," or are "safe for now" since President Trump took office.
  • "Arming teachers with guns?" By Matthew Choi. Fort Worth Business Press, July 2-8, 2018, pp. 11, 21, 23.
    Discusses the recent unveiling of a high tech classroom at West Texas A&M University that will help prepare teachers for active shooting events. Features Virtual Emergency Operations Center Internet software, which enables the coordination between school districts, city services, and emergency responders.
  • "Blockchain & cryptocurrency – two roads converge." By Justin E. Hobson. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, July 2018, pp. 40-41.
    Provides background and discusses the current regulatory environment of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin.
  • "Fighting words." By Andrew Marantz. New Yorker, July 2, 2018, pp. 34-40, 42-43.
    Explores how college campuses are balancing free speech rights with campus safety in an era when some speakers are intentionally provocative. Highlights the University of California, Berkeley's 2017 efforts to manage an event by Milo Yiannopoulos.
  • "Small systems: Solar energy powers remote water systems." By Craig Patterson, et al. Opflow, June 2018, pp. 24-26.
    Describes an Environmental Protection Agency project in Puerto Rico that proved the viability of using solar energy to power small community water systems.
  • "Eight state commission chairs on state and future of power." Public Utilities Fortnightly, June 15, 2018, pp. 9-23, 46.
    Provides short interviews with eight state utility commission chairs, including Chairman DeeAnn Walker from the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Discusses the future of the power industry.
  • "Did they forget the Alamo?" By W. Scott Bailey. San Antonio Business Journal, July 6, 2018, p. 4.
    Questions how cuts to state funding to promote tourism in Texas will affect cities like San Antonio, which rely heavily on tourism dollars.
  • "Remodeling Medicaid." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, July 2018, pp. 16-21.
    Shares success stories in implementing value-based payment models within managed care organizations in Texas Medicaid.
  • "Unmatched talent." By Sean Price. Texas Medicine, July 2018, pp. 22-26.
    Considers alternative licensing programs for physicians who have not matched into residency training due to a shortage of residency positions. Notes that five states have passed legislation to create such programs.
  • "EIA pegs lowest fossil fuel consumption since 1994." Texas Public Power, June 2018, pp. 6, 9.
    Highlights the Energy Information Administration's [EIA] recent findings that the electric power industry's consumption of fossil fuels in 2017 was the lowest since 1994. Related information at: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=33543.

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 July 19, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 972 views. Print this entry.

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