The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our January 2022 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, contact the library at 512-463-1252.

1. Civil Rights in Black and Brown: Histories of Resistance and Struggle in Texas
By Max Krochmal and J. Todd Moye, eds.
Draws from the oral history database, Civil Rights in Black and Brown Oral History Project, to further record a "people's history" of the grassroots civil rights movement in Texas. Emphasizes the intersection between Black and Hispanic activism in the 1960s and 70s. Offers essays on student protests at Prairie View A&M, the leadership of Héctor P. García in Corpus Christi, the collaborative activism in 1970s San Antonio, involving former Representative G.J. Sutton, and the military experience of former Representative Ben T. Reyes and other minorities.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 469 pages
323.09764 K912C 2021

 

 

2. Interim Studies Established by the 87th Texas Legislature: Regular, 2nd, and 3rd Called Sessions
By Texas Legislative Council
Identifies interim studies and reports required by laws passed by the 87th Legislature, including SB 1, the General Appropriations Act. Focuses on studies resulting in a one-time report to the legislature, legislative committees, or a legislative agency. Organizes them by subject area and, within each subject area, in bill order and includes indexes by bill number and the submitting entity - the agency or other entity required to submit a report on the study.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 114 pages
L1400.8 IN8E 2021

 

 

3. Property Tax Relief for Homeowners
By Adam H. Langley and Joan Youngman
Discusses strengths and weaknesses of the property tax as it is currently structured and utilized throughout the U.S. Evaluates the impact of various property tax relief approaches, including rate, levy, and assessment limits, circuit breakers, deferrals, and monthly payment plans. Provides case studies of the most and least effective tax relief programs from several states and addresses tax swaps and homestead exemption audits in Texas. Offers suggestions for a more equitable and effective tax system.
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2021, 64 pages
336.22 L266P 2021

 

 

4. Today's Health Care Issues: Democrats and Republicans
By Robert B. Hackey and Todd M. Olszewski
Examines current health care issues in debates regarding the role of government in our society. Discusses in essay format, eighteen of the most pressing concerns in contemporary health policy including health care reform, pharmaceuticals, and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides an overview of each issue, followed by a discussion of the Republican and Democratic ideologies, and what common ground might exist.
ABC-CLIO, 2021, 380 pages
362.10973 H121 2021

 

 

5. War on the Border: Villa, Pershing, the Texas Rangers, and an American Invasion
By Jeff Guinn
Offers an overview of violence in the region between the U.S. and Mexico in the early 20th century. Focuses on Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus, New Mexico in 1917 and the subsequent "Punitive Expedition" of American troops into Northern Mexico. Discusses the Texas Rangers' role in border violence and the 1919 investigation of Ranger activity by the Texas House of Representatives, launched by former Representative José Tomás Canales.
Simon & Schuster, 2021, 350 pages
972.0816 G964W 2021

 

 

6. Repairing Jefferson's America: A Guide to Civility and Enlightened Citizenship
By Clay S. Jenkinson
Studies the politics and philosophies of America's third president, Thomas Jefferson. Outlines Jefferson's beliefs regarding topics like wealth, religious freedom, and nature. Provides analysis of Jefferson's writings and a guide for how people might employ Jeffersonian principles in both their private lives and in the public sphere. Offers examples of how to utilize the former president's ideas to discuss modern issues.
Koehlerbooks, 2020, 198 pages
323.6 J52R 2020

 

This entry was posted on January 26, 2022 at 3:15 PM and has received 945 views. Print this entry.

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

• Track rental affordability and home sale prices in markets across the nation. (ATTOM, January 6, 2022)
• Find out how to get free at-home COVID-19 tests. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, accessed January 19, 2022)
• Read about how law enforcement uses social media to communicate and investigate. (Congressional Research Service, January 11, 2022)
• Consider how pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) may reduce lower back pain. (NIH News in Health, January 2022)
• Review information about temporary tags and how HB 3927, 87th R.S., gives TxDMV a new tool to combat fraudulent tags. (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), December 1, 2021)

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.

This entry was posted on January 20, 2022 at 3:15 PM and has received 882 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore how state governments and the federal government are taking steps to address lead in drinking water. (National Conference of State Legislatures, December 30, 2021)
• Read about the Texas 10 Most Wanted Program record number of captures in 2021. (Texas Department of Public Safety, January 4, 2022)
• Pinpoint flood hazard information by address via the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC). (Federal Emergency Management Agency, accessed January 7, 2022)
• Review the requirements and fees of the new e-cigarette retailer permit for e-cigarette retailers. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, accessed January 7, 2022)

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.

This entry was posted on January 13, 2022 at 3:15 PM and has received 9701 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore public health legislation by state. (National Conference of State Legislatures, December 20, 2021)
• Review tips for safely donating to legitimate charities. (LLRX.com, November 30, 2021)
• Consider recent wage changes in the U.S. labor market. (Pew Research Center, December 22, 2021)
• Read about American views of the tech sector, social media, and content moderation. (Cato Institute, December 15, 2021)

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.

This entry was posted on January 6, 2022 at 3:15 PM and has received 924 views. Print this entry.

On January 1, 2022, 23 bills passed during the 87th Legislature will take effect. On January 18, 2022, 6 bills passed during the 87th Legislature will take effect.

A few bills passed during the 85th Legislature and 86th Legislature have sections which will also be effective on January 1, 2022.

To keep up with new laws throughout the year, check the Library's list of bill effective dates.

This entry was posted on December 30, 2021 at 1:00 PM and has received 6867 views. Print this entry.

Recognition months, weeks, and days call attention to special events, health issues, industries, people, and more. Some are codified in Texas Government Code, Chapter 662, and highlighted on our website Texas Holidays and Recognition Days, with options to sort by holiday name, type, month, bill, and session.

Texas legislators also pass resolutions and bills in each session to commemorate certain dates. Below are the recognition months, weeks, and days observed with resolutions and bills by the 87th Legislature, Regular Session and 1st–3rd Called Sessions for the year 2022. Click here to see a list of all the recognition dates from this past session. This list includes all enrolled bills and resolutions with Texas Legislature Online (TLO) subjects:

• Holidays (I0395)
• Resolutions--Official Designations--10-Year Significant Dates (I0016)
• Resolutions--Official Designations--Special Dates (I0721)

2022:
Session is 87th Legislature, Regular Session, unless Called Session noted.

January
National Glaucoma Awareness Month (HR 1511)
January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day (HB 2728)

February
American Heart Month (HR 1743)
Black History Month (HR 1334)
February 1: Lunar New Year (HR 1183)
February 15 (Third Tuesday in February): Texas Game Warden Day (SCR 26)

March
March 2: Texas Independence Day (HR 1612)
March 10: Histotechnology Professionals Day (SCR 21)

April
Beach Safety and Rip Current Awareness Month (HCR 46)
National Donate Life Month (HR 1610)
Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Texas (HR 1685)
April 1: Hindu New Year (HR 1228)
April 6: Tejano Day (HCR 67)
April 17: Easter (HR 1609)
April 22: Earth Day (HR 536)

May
National Mental Health Month (HR 1611)
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month (HR 920)
May 5: National Day of Prayer in Texas (HR 918)
May 8: Mother's Day (HR 947)
May 21: Armed Forces Day (HR 951)
May 30: Memorial Day (HR 954)

June
National Dairy Month in Texas (HR 2002)
June 14: Flag Day (HR 1952)
June 19: Father's Day (HR 1687)

July
Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month (HB 1966)
July 4: Fourth of July (HR 1510)

August (none)

September
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month (HR 1500)
September 10: Official State Bison Herd of Texas Day (SR 336)
September 11: Patriot Day (HR 1675)
September 16: National POW/MIA Recognition Day (HR 1504)
September 17: Constitution Day (HR 1502)
September 25: Gold Star Mother's Day (HR 1506)

October
Mental Health Condition and Substance Use Disorder Parity Awareness Month (HB 2595)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (HR 13, 87th 2nd C.S.)
Second Week in October: Indigenous Peoples' Week (HCR 62)
October 17 (Third Monday in October): Domestic Violence Survivors' Day (HCR 8, 87th 3rd C.S.)
Last Week in October: Festival of Diwali (HR 1186)

November
American Diabetes Month (HR 1604)
November 5: Type 1.5 Diabetes Awareness Day (HCR 29)
November 7: Victims of Communism Day (HB 1057)
November 11: Veterans Day (HR 923)
November 17: National Rural Health Day in Texas (HR 1606)
November 25: Thanksgiving (HR 1767)

December
December 1: Rosa Parks Day (HB 3481)
December 25: Christmas (HR 1608)

Note: Buddy Check Day, 11th Day of Each Month:
"The 11th day of each month is Buddy Check Day to encourage veterans to contact other veterans, including those with whom they served, who may need assistance." (SB 460)

To see recognized months, weeks, and days from the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, for September — December 2021, please view our blog post from July 9, 2021.

To see recognized months, weeks, and days from the 86th Legislature, please view our blog post from December 30, 2019.

This entry was posted on December 29, 2021 at 10:25 AM and has received 1394 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore health crisis communication challenges at the community level. (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, December 7, 2021)
• Read an in-depth draft report about U.S. Supreme Court reform. (Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States, December 2021)
• Find disaster declarations by state, year, incident type, and declaration type. (Federal Emergency Management Agency, accessed December 15, 2021)
• Review election fairness and security by state. (The Heritage Foundation, ©2021)

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.

This entry was posted on December 16, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 1033 views. Print this entry.

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

• Read about how courts adapted technology to avoid disruption in operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Pew Charitable Trusts, December 1, 2021)
• Explore climate resilience and corresponding solutions by state. (Atlantic Council / Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, accessed December 8, 2021)
• Find out how to distinguish different types of holiday cacti. (Farmers' Almanac, November 29, 2021)
• Review data related to COVID-19 vaccinations in Texas. (Texas Department of State Health Services, updated December 8, 2021)

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.

This entry was posted on December 9, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 1121 views. Print this entry.

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our December 2021 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. The New Politics of the Old South: An Introduction to Southern Politics
By Charles S. Bullock III and Mark J. Rozell, editors
Collects a series of essays on Southern politics through time, up to date through the 2020 elections. Profiles twelve states and classifies them as either "Stagnant" or "Growth" states. Includes Texas in the latter group because of its rapid economic and population development, and predicts potential changes in partisanship and public policy. Focuses on voting patterns and demographic shifts since the 1970s in the Texas chapter, with emphasis on the state's history of redistricting.
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2022, 341 pages
320.975 B938N 2022

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

This entry was posted on December 8, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 824 views. Print this entry.

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

• Consider state budget-related long-term obligations state by state. (Pew Charitable Trusts, updated November 15, 2021)
• Review the history and current use of plain language laws. (University of Miami Law Review, forthcoming in 2022)
• Explore the levels of freedom across the 50 states. (Cato Institute, ©2021)
• Discover the best car seat for your child. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, accessed December 1, 2021)

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.

This entry was posted on December 2, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 926 views. Print this entry.