Legislative library home page
Legislative Reference Library of Texas
your partner in legislative research
Legislative Reference Library of Texas
your partner in legislative research

Skip to main content

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 14, 2025

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

  • Review the dangers of hyperthermia. (Texas Department of State Health Services, © 2025)
  • Find recalls from six federal agencies. (Consumer Product Safety Commission, accessed August 13, 2025)
  • Read about different online tools to find older versions of internet websites. (How-To Geek, August 4, 2025)
  • Look at climate forecasts for cities all over the world. (University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, accessed August 13, 2025)
  • See bird migration forecasts as fall migration starts. (BirdCast, updated daily through November 15, 2025)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

New & Noteworthy Books and Reports: August 2025

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our August 2025 New & Noteworthy list.

New & Noteworthy titles are available to Legislative offices and agencies. To borrow an item, please submit an online request through the New & Noteworthy page on our website or contact the library at 512-463-1252.

 

1. Politics of the Rio Grande Valley: An Insider's Perspective to Regional Politics
By Carlos D. Gutierrez-Mannix and Alexandre Couture Gagnon, editors
Offers a nuanced examination of regional politics in the Rio Grande Valley in a series of essays. Provides comprehensive analysis of the region and the social, political, and historical contexts in which it developed. Addresses a variety of issues, including immigration; border security; poverty and social economic conditions; environmental justice; social movements; Hispanic attitudes; and the power of local elected officials.
Lexington Books, 2025, 218 pages
320.9764 G984 2025

 

 

2. River Authority Uniformity Study: Staff Study With Final Results
By Texas Sunset Advisory Commission
Summarizes the 89th Legislature’s final actions on recommendations proposed in the Sunset Advisory Commission’s uniformity study on the operations and structures of river authorities. Reports that the Legislature acted on board terms but not on three proposed opportunities for improvement. Includes an appendix with summaries of the standards-based actions the Sunset Commission and Legislature applied to river authorities reviewed from 2015 through 2023.
Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, 2025, 16 pages
S1500.8 R621 2025

 

 

3. Birth in Times of Despair: Reproductive Violence on the US-Mexico Border
By Carina Heckert
Discusses the effects of the ongoing border crises and U.S. policies on the state of maternal health care in El Paso, Texas, and the US-Mexico border region. Examines how anti-immigrant policies, inadequate access to health services, and harmful sociocultural environments are a detriment to pregnant women and new mothers. Relies on interviews, surveys, and medical records to reflect the emotional experiences of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Suggests a series of policy modifications to mitigate the suffering of this group of at-risk women.
New York University Press, 2024, 247 pages
362.1982009721 H449B 2024

 

 

4. Infinite Hope: The Story of One Man’s Wrongful Conviction, Solitary Confinement, and Survival on Death Row
By Anthony Graves
Presents the memoir of Anthony Graves, a former wrongfully convicted death row inmate in Texas, who was incarcerated for nearly two decades. Details how he prevailed against a flawed criminal justice system to prove his innocence and to achieve exoneration and release. Addresses the failures of the Texas criminal justice system, the harm of solitary confinement, and Graves’ continued advocacy for criminal justice reform.
Beacon Press, 2018, 197 pages
345.764 G776IN 2018

 

 

5. Dolph Briscoe: My Life in Texas Ranching and Politics
By Dolph Briscoe
Reflects on the life and experiences of Governor Dolph Briscoe through transcribed oral history interviews. Details Briscoe’s personal life through his familial roots and his experience working and managing ranches. Discusses his political career in the Texas House of Representatives from 1949 to 1957 and his return to public service as Governor from 1973 to 1979. Highlights some of Briscoe’s legislative priorities including the Constitutional Convention of 1974.
Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin, 2008, 284 pages
923.2764 B774B 2008

 

 

6. Indomitable Sarah: The Life of Judge Sarah T. Hughes
By Darwin Payne
Explores the life and careers of Judge Sarah Tilghman Hughes. Chronicles her early life in Baltimore; her law school experience; and her move to Dallas to begin her law career. Details Hughes’ campaigns for the Texas legislature and her service in the House of Representatives from 1931 to 1935. Addresses her judicial gubernatorial appointment and the Senate confirmation conflicts that occurred while she was still a legislator. Presents Hughes' many accomplishments, including being the first woman to serve as both a state district judge and federal district judge in Texas.
Southern Methodist University Press, 2004, 467 pages
923.2764 H874P 2004

 

 

 

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 7, 2025

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

  • Read about online scams and attacks experienced by Americans. (Pew Research Service, July 31, 2025)
  • Explore U.S. Supreme Court oral argument transcripts. (Free Law Project, July 31, 2025)
  • Review the Trump Administration’s tariff actions from January 20, 2025 through July 28, 2025. (Congressional Research Service, July 30, 2025)
  • Consider special registration fees for hybrid and electric vehicles by state. (National Conference of State Legislatures, updated July 27, 2025)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

Current Articles & Research Resources, July 31, 2025

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

  • See which weekend is the upcoming Sales Tax Holiday in Texas. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, accessed July 30, 2025)
  • Consider which cities have the worst traffic. (Consumer Affairs, July 16, 2025)
  • Explore legal issues related to automated license plate readers. (Congressional Research Service, July 21, 2025)
  • Read about reductions of the IRS workforce. (Treasury Inspector General For Tax Administration, July 18, 2025)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

Current Articles & Research Resources, July 24, 2025

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

  • Consider potential changes to environmental reviews for spaceport launch sites. (ProPublica, July 22, 2025)
  • Read about Social Security’s imminent funding shortfall. (Cato Institute, July 22, 2025)
  • Explore questions raised by generative artificial intelligence (AI) relating to copyright law. (Congressional Research Service, July 18, 2025)
  • Examine changes over time to religious services attendance. (Heritage Foundation, July 17, 2025)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

New & Noteworthy Books and Reports: July 2025

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our July 2025 New & Noteworthy list.

Check out and delivery of New & Noteworthy titles is available to legislative staff in Capitol and District offices. To arrange check out and delivery of any of these items, you can submit an online request through the New & Noteworthy page on our website or contact the library at 512-463-1252.

 

1. And Housing for All: The Fight to End Homelessness in America
By Maria Foscarinis
Asserts the homelessness crisis in America will only be solved when housing is recognized as a fundamental human right, and reveals how the crisis has been guided by deliberate policy decisions and perpetuated by anti-homeless narratives. Explores why past efforts to end homelessness have failed and makes recommendations on what must change to achieve long-term solutions. Provides legislative and policy analysis interwoven with compelling stories of resilient individuals and families impacted by homelessness.
Prometheus Books, 2025, 378 pages
362 F747H 2025

 

 

2. Deadly Force: Police Shootings in Urban America
By Tom S. Clark, Adam N. Glynn, and Michael Leo Owens
Studies police shootings – fatal and nonfatal – in U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Discusses the challenges encountered when requesting and collecting records on officer-involved shootings from police departments. Analyzes the data compiled for transparency and patterns for where, when, who, and fatal versus nonfatal rates. Addresses 24 Texas cities including Abilene, Houston, Round Rock, and Wichita Falls.
Princeton University Press, 2025, 300 pages
363.20973 C592D 2025

 

 

3. See Jane Run: How Women Politicians Matter for Young People
By David E. Campbell and Christina Wolbrecht
Discusses the effect women politicians can have on the political beliefs of young people. Finds that across gender, race, and party, successful female politicians help convince young people that women can be leaders. Notes that for young women, this effect is even more profound; female role models enhance their faith in democracy and increases political engagement, including running for office themselves.
University of Chicago Press, 2025, 245 pages
320.082 C187SE 2025

 

 

4. Abortion Pills: US History and Politics
By Carrie N. Baker
Provides a chronological historical overview of medication abortion pills – Mifepristone and Misoprostol – from their development in 1980 to the present day, with a focus on U.S. events. Highlights important federal and state moments for and against the medications through political campaigns; court decisions; and laws and regulations. Includes details from interviews with over 80 people from activists, abortion providers, researchers, and people who have used abortion pills. Discusses SB 8, 87th Legislature, R.S. and SB 4, 87th Legislature, 2nd C.S.
Amherst College Press, 2024, 294 pages
363.46 B167AB 2024

 

 

5. 2024 State Flood Plan
By Texas Water Development Board
Presents Texas’ first state flood plan that resulted from the regional and state flood planning process created by SB 8, 86th Legislature, R.S. Provides a comprehensive analysis of flood risks and hazards with a focus on the people and property exposed to flooding, the flood risk reduction infrastructure, and existing flood plain management practices. Discusses administrative, legislative, and regulatory recommendations relating to flood risk reduction; funding; early warning systems; flood plain management; and a variety of other flooding issues.
Texas Water Development Board, 2024, 245 pages
W605.8 F631P 2024

 

 

6. Can Legal Weed Win?: The Blunt Realities of Cannabis Economics
By Robin Goldstein and Daniel Sumner
Explores the history of the cannabis industry, with emphasis on legal developments over the last quarter century. Posits that in many cases licensing requirements, regulations, and taxes have hampered plans to replace the black market for marijuana with legal channels. Suggests how cannabis-related businesses can thrive and discusses the possible futures of legal and illegal cannabis markets. Points out that the demand for cannabis in Texas, where medical use is limited and recreational use is prohibited, has increased sales across the state line in Oklahoma.
University of California Press, 2022, 211 pages
338.1 G624C 2022

 

 

 

Current Articles & Research Resources, July 17, 2025

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

  • Explore U.S. Supreme Court cases from 1781 through 1990. (U.S. Government Publishing Office, accessed July 16, 2025)
  • Note that some taxpayers in counties affected by disaster my be eligible for an extension. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, July 2025)
  • Compare data removal services for deleting online data. (ZDNET, July 9, 2025)
  • Read about free trade agreements. (USAFacts, May 30, 2025)
  • Review an open access publication about AI law, ethics, and policy. (Cambridge University Press, February 2025)
  • Find local journalists in your area. (Rebuild Local News, © 2025)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

Current Articles & Research Resources, July 10, 2025

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

  • Report damage and losses to residential, commercial, or agricultural property. (Texas Division of Emergency Management, accessed July 9, 2025)
  • Avoid scams and fraud related to charitable giving. (Attorney General of Texas, July 8, 2025)
  • Review domestic missile defense systems and policies. (Congressional Research Service, June 30, 2025)
  • Read about ways to encourage good nutrition early in young children. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 30, 2025)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

Interim Hearings – Week of July 14, 2025

Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.

 

July 15, 2025
House Committee on Natural Resources
Topic: Invited testimony only regarding the impact of high-capacity and large volume groundwater production in the Neches & Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District

 

 

Current Articles & Research Resources, June 26, 2025

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

  • Read about Americans accessing news online. (Pew Research Center, June 24, 2025)
  • Search wildfire mitigation plans by state. (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, accessed June 25, 2025)
  • Review U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention standards and statistics. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, accessed June 25, 2025)
  • Consider how large language models like ChatGPT affect critical thinking skills. (MIT Media Lab, June 10,2025)
  • Identify and share plants and wildlife via a smartphone. (Gizmodo, June 21, 2025)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

More Entries