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

• Consider repayment challenges faced by student loan borrowers. (Pew Charitable Trusts, June 28, 2021)
• See annual oil and gas production by county in Texas. (Railroad Commission of Texas, accessed June 30, 2021)
• Track the prevalence of COVID-19 variants. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed June 30, 2021)
• Read about new requirements designed to reduce the number of robocalls. (Federal Communication Commission, accessed June 30, 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 July 1, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 718 views. Print this entry.

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 6

House Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2021 legislative redistricting process, focus on El Paso area

• Texas Redistricting, Texas Legislative Council

July 7
House Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2021 legislative redistricting process, focus on San Antonio area

• Texas Redistricting, Texas Legislative Council

This entry was posted on July 1, 2021 at 8:00 AM and has received 427 views. Print this entry.

Interested in how the final bill statistics from the 87th Legislature's regular session compares to statistics from past sessions? See the charts below to compare and contrast.

To find past bill statistics and other session information, see our previous blog posts on the legislative process.

This entry was posted on June 30, 2021 at 9:15 AM and has received 967 views. Print this entry.

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

• Read summer driving tips. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, May 2021)
• Consider various aspects of the nation's housing. (Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, ©2020)
• Review how some states have taken steps to improve air quality. (Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies, May 2021)
• Find out which counties have burn bans in effect. (Texas A&M Forest Service, accessed June 23, 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 June 24, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 698 views. Print this entry.

Sunday, June 20 was the last day the governor could sign or veto an enrolled bill from the 87th Regular Session. If neither action was taken, the bill became law without his signature.

To see how these statistics have changed since Sine Die, please view our blog posts from June 2, June 8, and June 15.

87th Legislature Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 21 at 8 a.m.

You can also view lists of bills by the governor's action on Texas Legislature Online (TLO).

1. On TLO's homepage, click on the "Reports" link under Additional Searches.

 

2. Then click on the "General Reports" tab to see the lists of bills by the governor's action.

This entry was posted on June 21, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 1516 views. Print this entry.

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

• Review hurricane safety tips. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, June 1, 2021)
• See which industries did not experience declines during the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Census Bureau, June 8, 2021)
• Explore various aspects of the Texas economy. (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, May 26, 2021)
• Read a detailed FAQ about Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. (U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 10, 2021)
• Follow the progress of S.475, which was signed by the president, making Juneteenth a federal holiday. (Congress.gov, accessed June 16, 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 June 17, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 1048 views. Print this entry.

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our June 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, contact the library at 512-463-1252, or use our PDF request form.

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

This entry was posted on June 16, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 721 views. Print this entry.

June 20 is the last day the governor can sign or veto an enrolled bill. If neither action is taken, the bill becomes law without his signature.

To see how these bill statistics have changed and other post-session information, see our previous blog posts on the legislative process.

87th Legislature Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 15 at 9:10 a.m.

This entry was posted on June 15, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 1200 views. Print this entry.

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

• Review statistics and laws related to guns and gun violence by state. (Rockefeller Institute of Government, ©2021)
• Consider how Americans experience using mobile technology and broadband in their homes. (Pew Research Center, June 3, 2021)
• Track election-related enactments by state. (National Conference of State Legislators, June 3, 2021)
• Protect yourself against identity theft. (Law Technology Today, June 2, 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 June 10, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 580 views. Print this entry.

June 20 is the last day the governor can sign or veto an enrolled bill. If neither action is taken, the bill becomes law without his signature.

To see how these bill statistics have changed and other post-session information, see our previous blog posts on the legislative process.

87th Legislature Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 8 at 12:20 p.m.

This entry was posted on June 8, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 1015 views. Print this entry.