In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Review election returns from the March 3 primaries. (Texas Secretary of State, accessed March 4, 2020)
- Consider book censorship in U.S. prisons. (NPR, February 22, 2020)
- Explore ways Southern states can look to the Netherlands for ideas to bolster resilience against recurrent floods. (Southern Legislative Conference, January 2020)
- Read about rule changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (AP News, March 4, 2020)
- 20.03.01 / "Will the ERA cross the finish line?" By Stacy Teicher Khadaroo. Christian Science Monitor, February 24, 2020, p. 15.
Discusses the legal situation regarding ratification by the 38th state of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) including the effect of final ratifications happening after a Congressional deadline. Considers whether the amendment is still needed and explains potential opposition to it. - 20.03.02 / "Students say Republicans have made it harder for them to vote in some states." By Danielle McLean. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 28, 2020, pp. 18-19.
Examines how students at various college campuses believe they have been the victim of voter suppression attempts. Includes a discussion of Abilene Christian University students and the effect of a law passed by the Texas Legislature (HB1888, 86th Legislature) banning early voting locations that do not remain open through the entirety of early voting. - 20.03.03 / "Business and the next recession: Downturn, disrupted." Economist, February 22nd-28th, 2020, pp. 61-63.
Reports the impact of the next recession will be affected by economic changes since the 2007 recession: the dominance of the digital world, the social context shift, and too much corporate debt. - 20.03.04 / "Church-run charter schools? Court arguments stir discussion." By Evie Blad. Education Week, February 12, 2020, pp. 6-7.
Addresses the possibility of church-run charter schools presented during oral arguments for the United States Supreme Court case Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue on January 29, 2020, a case that challenges the barring of public tax credits for religious schools. - 20.03.05 / "New funding for early education: New law increases funding for Texas' youngest students." By Peggy Fikac. Fiscal Notes, February 2020, pp. 1, 3-5.
Highlights the state's new investment in early childhood education in HB3, 86th Legislature, through the $835 million Early Education Allotment. Looks at how the new funding will assist economically disadvantaged students and pre-Kindergarten in Texas. - 20.03.06 / "Health policy brief: Precarious work schedules and population health." By Kristen Harknett and Daniel Schneider. Internet Resource, February 2020, pp. 1-6.
Asserts that unstable and unpredictable work schedules are correlated with poor health outcomes for adults, challenges with child care arrangements, and behavioral problems in young children. Notes that several cities and one state have passed laws to regulate scheduling practices. - 20.03.07 / "When state policy makes national politics: The case of 'Obamacare' marketplace implementation." By Samuel Trachtman. Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law, February 2020, pp. 111-141. (Note length)
Examines how state-level implementation of the Affordable Care Act can affect the national-level political implications of the law. Concludes that state legislators often implement federal law in ways that benefit their political parties more than their constituents. - 20.03.08 / "Rural America doesn't have to starve to death." By Nick Shaxson. Nation, March 2/9, 2020, pp. 12-17.
Contrasts increased farming wealth in United States agribusiness with a financial "hollowing" and increased poverty of small rural farming communities. Includes the economic impact of concentrated animal feeding operations [CAFOs], also known as factory farms. - 20.03.09 / "Beneficial electrification test to assess benefits and costs: To achieve widespread decarbonization." By M. Sami Khawaja, et al. Public Utilities Fortnightly, February 10, 2020, pp. 24-29, 51.
Considers using a benefit cost analysis [BCA] framework to evaluate electrification investments. - 20.03.10 / "Massage parlor panic." By Elizabeth Nolan Brown. Reason, March 2020, pp. 17-24.
Discusses the growing focus on human trafficking in terms of raids and stings directed at massage parlors. Argues little evidence of human trafficking has been found in these cases. Concludes these efforts become immigration stings that target Asian women, thereby doing more harm than help to these "victims." - 20.03.11 / "What's killing the monarchs?" By Gabriel Popkin. Scientific American, March 2020, pp. 17-24.
Covers different theories about why the monarch butterfly population is declining and how scientists are trying to determine the cause or causes. - 20.03.12 / "Stop milking it, dairy farmers tell plant-based competitors." By Marsha Mercer. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), March 2, 2020, pp. 1-5.
Discusses the debate over labeling regulations for plant-based milk and food products. Points out states that have introduced milk labeling bills. - 20.03.13 / "Not seeing eye to eye." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, February 2020, pp. 25-27.
Debates the legislative intent of the Texas Optometry Act (SB781, 61st Legislature, R.S.) regarding a Texas Optometry Board rule preventing physicians from employing optometrists while leasing their office space from an optician. - 20.03.14 / "Preserving 'do no harm'." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, February 2020, pp. 22-23.
Summarizes the judicial history of Kelly v. Houston Methodist Hospital, which is attempting to overturn a provision of the Texas Advance Directives Act (SB1260, 76th Legislature). - 20.03.15 / "The changing landscape of the Texas Citizens Participation Act." By Laura Lee Prather and Robert T. Sherwin. Texas Tech Law Review, Winter 2020, pp. 163-198. (Note length)
Discusses how HB2730, 86th Legislature, amended the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA), which allows defendants the ability to file a motion to dismiss a legal action, including a SLAPP [Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation] suit, if it is based on the right of free speech, right to petition, or right of association. Examines how these changes will affect pending issues within Texas courts of appeals, including awarding sanctions and the TCPA's applicability to trade secret cases, attorney discipline cases, and employment disputes. Identifies remaining open questions related to pre-suit requests for discovery and the new definitions of "matter of public concern" and "right of association." - 20.03.16 / "Battle for the ballot." By Vera Bergengruen. Time, March 2/9, 2020, p. 76.
Reports that this year, 29 states have introduced legislation that will expand voting rights while 15 states have filed bills making it harder to vote. Includes discussion of voter registration in Texas.
- HB 1442, which is the sunset bill for the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC). The legislation contains provisions relating to the regulation of online lenders. Monitor the OCCC's rules regulating the online lending industry.
- Recent and Upcoming Rules, Licensing & Administration Rules Implementing Sunset Legislation (7 Texas Administrative Code Chapters 2, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, and 89), Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, Effective September 5, 2019
- HB 2945, which relates to consumer protection against credit card skimmers. Monitor the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) rules, polices, and procedures regulating the payment terminals on motor fuel dispensers and credit card skimmer violations. Examine the process by which the OAG creates, manages, and utilizes the payment fraud fusion center.
- Proposed Rules, 1 Texas Administrative Code §§ 56.1-56.6, Skimmers, Office of the Attorney General / Texas Secretary of State, Texas Register, November 1, 2019
- SB 322, which relates to the evaluation and reporting of investment practices and performances of certain public retirement systems. Examine the process by which state agencies and public retirement systems collaborate on, plan, and implement the structure necessary to perform these evaluations.
- SB 2224, which relates to requiring a public retirement system to adopt a written funding policy. Examine the process by which state agencies and public retirement systems collaborate on, plan, and implement the structure necessary to create sound and practical funding policies.
- 2019 Small Business Profile: Texas, U.S. Small Business Administration
- Small Business Retirement Plan Options, U.S. Department of Labor
- "Under Fire, TRS Backs Off Indeed Tower Lease Plan," Austin American-Statesman, February 20, 2020
- TRS Board of Trustees Meeting (Board Book), Teacher Retirement System, February 20-21, 2020 (Agenda Item 5, Receive an update regarding TRS Long-Term Facilities planning including plans for a future headquarters and considering leases at 816 Congress and Indeed Tower; Indeed Tower Update Presentation, February 2020)
- "Teacher Retirement System of Texas to Spend at Least $326K a Month in Rent" (TRS lease summary and statement), KXAN.com, Updated January 19, 2020
- Respiratory Viruses Having Pandemic Potential – Public Health Preparedness, Surveillance, and Response Plan for Texas, Texas Department of State Health Services, March 2015
- Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), Texas Department of State Health Services
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Texas Department of State Health Services
- COVID-19 Resources, Texas Medical Association
- Novel Coronavirus Response Support, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
- Texas Syndromic Surveillance (TxS2), Texas Department of State Health Services
- Gun Laws – Buying & Transferring (Research Guide), Texas State Law Library, Updated February 13, 2020
- Post-Heller Second Amendment Jurisprudence (District of Columbia v. Heller), Congressional Research Service, Updated March 25, 2019
- Quick Facts: Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Fiscal Year 2018, U.S. Sentencing Commission, 2019
- Interim Report to the 86th Legislature (Charge 4 – Extreme risk protective orders), Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Security, August 2018
- "18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) Under Attack: The Case for As-Applied Challenges to the Felon-in-Possession Ban," 93 Notre Dame Law Review 1723 (March 2018)
- Possession of Firearms By People With Mental Illness (State Laws), National Conference of State Legislatures, January 5, 2018
- National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) (Reports, Statutes, Regulations), Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Interim Hearings – Week of January 6, 2020 (Blog), January 9 – House Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Legislative Reference Library, December 31, 2019
- Interim Hearings – Week of December 2, 2019 (Blog), December 4 – Senate Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Legislative Reference Library, November 26, 2019
- Interim Hearings – Week of November 4, 2019 (Blog), November 7 – House Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Legislative Reference Library, October 30, 2019
- Interim Hearings – Week of October 7, 2019 (Blog), October 10 – House Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Legislative Reference Library, October 2, 2019
- Texas Safety Action Report, Governor Greg Abbott, September 12, 2019
- Executive Order GA-07, Relating to the Prevention of Mass Attacks, Governor Greg Abbott, September 5, 2019
- "The 12 Reasons Why Americans Fail Federal Gun Background Checks," The Trace, September 9, 2019
- "18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) Under Attack: The Case for As-Applied Challenges to the Felon-in-Possession Ban," 93 Notre Dame Law Review 1723 (March 2018)
- "Complementary Approaches or Conflicting Strategies? Examining CISA [Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015] and New York's DFS [Department of Financial Services] Cybersecurity Regulations as a Harmonizing Framework for a Bilateral Approach to Cybersecurity," 26 Rich. J.L. & Tech. 1 (2020)
- "Clearview's Facial Recognition App Has Been Used by the Justice Department, ICE, Macy's, Walmart, and the NBA," BuzzFeed News, February 27, 2020
- "Capacity, Workforce, and Continuum of Care," 86th Legislative Session Report, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Texas, accessed February 28, 2020
- "Answering the Demand for Services," Monitor on Psychology, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 1, 2020
- Prosperity Requires Being Bold: A Progress Report, Tri-Agency Report to the Office of the Governor from the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Workforce Commission, February 2020
- 2018 Charter School Performance Framework (The Excel Center for Adults), Texas Education Agency, August 16, 2019
- Interim Report to the 85th Legislature (Charge 6 – Educational opportunities for non-traditional students), House Committee on Higher Education, January 2017
- Texas Adult Education Program: Evaluation Report (Adult charter schools), Texas Education Agency, 2016-2017
- Prosperity Requires Being Bold: Integrating Education and the Workforce for a Bright Texas Future, Tri-Agency Report to the Office of the Governor from the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Workforce Commission, November 2016
- Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students (Presentation), House Committee on Higher Education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, June 21, 2016
- "Interim Hearings – Week of June 20, 2016 (Blog)," June 21 – House Committee on Higher Education, Legislative Reference Library, June 10, 2016
- SB 11, relating to policies, procedures, and measures for school safety and mental health promotion in public schools and the creation of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium.
- Senate Bill 11 (SB 11) and Other School Safety-Related Legislation (Correspondence),Texas Education Agency, February 27, 2020
- School Safety, Texas Education Agency
- HB 3, relating to public school finance and public education. Review the impact of the repeal of a Gifted and Talented allotment on programs in districts and charter schools. Highlight various innovative Gifted and Talented programs in districts and charter schools across the state, and make recommendations on methods to strengthen and promote Gifted and Talented programs throughout Texas.
- House Bill 3 (HB 3) Implementation: Gifted/Talented Education Certification and Funding (Correspondence),Texas Education Agency, August 29, 2019
- Gifted Talented Education Resources (HB 3 resources), Texas Education Agency
- House Bill 3, Texas Education Agency
- Governor Ann Richards testified on March 3, 1991, before the House Insurance Committee in favor of an insurance bill (HB 2, 72R) that later passed. During a special session, she testified on July 16, 1991, before the Senate State Affairs Committee for a government reorganization bill (SB 7, 72nd 1st C.S.) that did not pass. Typescripts of her prepared testimonials are available for both bills—with a caveat noted on her testimony for SB 7 that "Governor Richards frequently deviates from prepared remarks."
- Governor George W. Bush testified on the need for tort reform at the 74th Legislature's Senate Committee on Economic Development meeting on February 2, 1995. (Search within the document to find his name on witness lists for bills SB 25, SB 28, and SB 32, all of which passed.) We do not have his testimony transcripts.
- Governor Rick Perry also "frequently departs from prepared remarks," according to the May 20, 2004, testimony published for his remarks to the House Select Committee on Public School Finance for the 78th Legislature.
In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Find out what you need to bring to the polls in order to vote. (Texas Secretary of State, February 24, 2020)
- Track COVID-19 cases on a global scale. (Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, updated February 11, 2020)
- Explore the Smithsonian's repository of 2-and 3-dimensional images released into the public domain. (Smithsonian Magazine, February 25, 2020)
- Search the Purple Book, the FDA's database of FDA-approved biological products. (United States Food and Drug Administration, accessed February 26, 2020)
- 20.02.36 / "When Trump doesn't love you back." By Bryan Gruley and Joe Deaux. Bloomberg Businessweek, February 17, 2020, pp. 48-53.
Profiles the effects the Trump administration's steel tariffs have had on JSW Steel USA Inc., in Baytown, Texas. Details how JSW Steel once backed the tariffs but is now suing the federal government. - 20.02.37 / "By 2020, they said, 2 out of 3 jobs would need more than a high-school diploma. Were they right?" By Goldie Blumenstyk. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 21, 2020, p. A19.
Reviews trends in the level of education achieved and requirements for certain jobs in terms of a 2013 prediction from Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce forecasting that 63 percent of all jobs would need some education beyond high school by 2020. Explains the prediction came true but that broad trends can be misleading. - 20.02.38 / "The other war on [avian] migrants." Economist, February 22nd-28th, 2020, p. 34.
Reports on a proposed regulation that would weaken the criminal scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act [MBTA] by ending the decades-old practice of penalizing the "incidental take" of protected birds. Notes the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's proposal would clarify that the MBTA's criminal scope extends only to conduct that intentionally injures birds. - 20.02.39 / "Peter Hotez, vaccine campaigner: Anger in a time of autism." Economist, February 22nd-28th, 2020, pp. 29-30.
Describes efforts by the co-founder of the National School of Tropical Medicine (Baylor College of Medicine) in Houston to educate parents on vaccine safety and to counter the anti-vaccine movement. - 20.02.40 / "How four communities are facing the future." By Benjamin Herold. Education Week, February 5, 2020, pp. 23-27.
Compares the city of Austin's approach to providing K-12 workforce preparation with three very different local communities in Connecticut, Georgia, and Wyoming. - 20.02.41 / "Ranks of homeless students surging." By Sarah D. Sparks. Education Week, February 12, 2020, pp. 1, 20-21.
Discusses the effects of the record-high influx of homeless students on schools in the United States. Reports Texas schools have had over a 9.5 percent increase in enrolled homeless students since 2015. Mentions Bastrop, Texas. - 20.02.42 / "Drug price moderation in Germany: Lessons for U.S. reform efforts." By James C. Robinson, Patricia Ex, and Dimitra Panteli. Internet Resource, January 2020, pp. 1-8.
Outlines how Germany employs positive and negative incentives to encourage drugmakers to moderate drug prices, with minimal government intervention. Describes how the United States could apply similar principles to price-setting for drugs and other health care technologies. - 20.02.43 / "The lost city of Montopolis." By Kevin D. Williamson. National Review, February 24, 2020, pp. 30-32.
Highlights the homeless situation in Austin and Governor Abbott's response to it. Discusses the state-owned property being used as a temporary encampment. Considers factors leading to homelessness. - 20.02.44 / "Bankruptcies increase." By Mikaila Adams. Oil and Gas Journal, February 3, 2020, p. 14.
Reviews bankruptcies filed by North American oil and gas producers since 2015, including those in Texas. Refers to a report from Haynes and Boone. - 20.02.45 / "The hidden toll of wildfire." By Kyle Dickman. Scientific American, March 2020, pp. 38-45.
Discusses an aerial campaign led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Aeronautics and Space Administration to study the chemical composition of wildfire smoke. Explains that the effects of wildfire smoke on human health are not yet well understood, but the campaign is collecting data to help determine this. - 20.02.46 / "Texas landfills: The need for administrative reform of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's permitting process." By William Todd Keller. St. Mary's Law Journal, Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 187-222 (Note Length).
Provides a brief history of landfills and an overview of issues related to their construction, operation, and regulation. Points out potential regulatory and legislative suggestions to help reform the landfill permitting process. - 20.02.47 / "DNA databases are boon to police but menace to privacy, critics say." By Lindsey Van Ness. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), February 20, 2020, pp. 1-8.
Reports several lawmakers around the country are filing legislation to stop or restrict police searches of genetic code databases, while others want to make it easier for police to use forensic genetic genealogy to catch criminals. - 20.02.48 / "The next great Texas energy resource." By Matt Kapinos and Hayden Harms. Texas Lawyer, March 2020, pp. 40, 42.
Explains why traditional energy companies are investing in renewable energy projects. - 20.02.49 / "Lina Hidalgo's year of living dangerously." By Christopher Hooks. Texas Monthly, March 2020, pp. 56-66.
Profiles Lina Hidalgo's first year serving as Harris County Judge on the Harris County Commissioners' Court, including the court's decision to settle a lawsuit over the county's bail system. Discusses the repercussions of electing a Democratic majority to the court in 2018 and how this change may epitomize the future of Texas politics. Describes the role of former state Senator Rodney Ellis, who currently serves as Harris County Precinct One Commissioner.
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.
In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting books by or about African Americans from our collection.
1. In This Land of Plenty: Mickey Leland and Africa in American Politics
By Benjamin Talton
Explores the life and career of Congressman and former Texas Representative George Thomas "Mickey" Leland. Notes the beginning of Leland's political career in the Texas Legislature and his advocacy for what he called the "People's Bills," before he went on to succeed Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in the U.S. House of Representatives. Focuses on Leland's leadership in bringing an African American perspective to U.S. politics, including his influence on developing foreign policy toward Africa, promoting humanitarianism, and eradicating world hunger.
University of Pennsylvania Press, 2019, 281 pages
328.73 T149L 2019
2. A Black Women's History of the United States
By Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross
Profiles Black women and their roles in shaping American culture, society, and politics since the 1600s, including histories of enslaved women, freedwomen, religious leaders, artists, politicians, educators, and activists. Highlights the stories of women within the context of broader historical events, such as exploration and contact in the New World, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and the civil rights and Black Power movements.
Beacon Press, 2020, 298 pages
305.48 B459B 2020
3. Black Software: The Internet & Racial Justice, from the AfroNet to Black Lives Matter
By Charlton D. McIlwain
Chronicles African Americans' relationship with computing technology and the Internet. Examines not only how computing technology has been used to contain, profile, and detain Black Americans for decades, but how Black activists used and are using these computing tools and the Internet to build community and engage in a racial justice activism that has been proclaimed by many as the new civil rights movement.
Oxford University Press, 2020, 296 pages
302.23089 M188B 2020
4. African Americans in Central Texas History: From Slavery to Civil Rights
By Bruce A. Glasrud and Deborah M. Liles, editors
Presents a collection of essays documenting the experiences of African Americans in Central Texas from the time of slavery through the civil rights marches of the 1960s. Addresses Black Texans' struggle for freedom and racial equality along with the threats, violence, and systemic denials of justice they encountered. Details the life stories of selected enslaved people, soldiers, cattlemen, professionals, politicians, and activists.
Texas A&M University Press, 2019, 316 pages
323.1196 G463AM 2019
5. Fault Lines: Portraits of East Austin
By John Langmore, photographer, with Wilhelmina Delco, Michael King, and Johnny Limón
Presents a collection of photographs from 2006 to 2011 documenting East Austin through personal and family portraits, community activities, and cultural landmarks. Illustrates the dramatic changes in demographics, housing, and neighborhoods in East Austin, and fragmentation of African American and Latino families due to gentrification and rising housing costs. Includes an essay by former Representative Wilhelmina Delco, reflecting on the history and importance of the African American community in East Austin.
Maverick Books, 2019, 171 pages
976.431 L267F 2019
6. Illusions of Emancipation: The Pursuit of Freedom and Equality in the Twilight of Slavery
By Joseph P. Reidy
Asserts that emancipation was not a single event but rather a complex journey that fundamentally altered ideas about time, space, and home, for all of the peoples of the United States. Describes how the Civil War and Reconstruction generations viewed the drastic changes involved in dismantling slavery, emphasizing the testimonies of formerly enslaved people.
University of North Carolina Press, 2019, 506 pages
305.896 R27IL 2019
7. Black Texans: A History of African Americans in Texas, 1528-1995
By Alwyn Barr
Provides an overview of the African American experience in Texas, spanning from the 1528 appearance of the Spanish shipwreck slave, Estevan, through slavery, Reconstruction, and significant gains made in the twentieth century. Discusses each period in terms of political, economic, social, and legal status as well as explaining the violence that occurred at various times. Recommends extensive sources for deeper study.
University of Oklahoma Press, 1996, 294 pages
325.26 B27 1996
In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Find federal legislative and executive documents related to the commemoration of National African American History Month. (The Library of Congress, January 30, 2020)
- Review the most recent update of Amendments to the Texas Constitution Since 1876. (Texas Legislative Council, February 2020)
- Explore state law enactments related to criminal records and reentry programs. (National Conference of State Legislatures, January 29, 2020)
- Track Article III and federal appeals court appointments by presidential administration back to the Reagan era. (The Heritage Foundation, February 12, 2020)
- 20.02.24 / "Innocence detectives." By Henry Gass. Christian Science Monitor, February 17, 2020, pp. 22-28.
Profiles the House of Renewed Hope, a Dallas nonprofit organization run by Christopher Scott and Steven Phillips, two men exonerated for crimes they did not commit after spending a combined 37 years in prison. Highlights their work to exonerate other prisoners. - 20.02.25 / "At Texas State, the culture war comes to campus." By Michael Vasquez. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 14, 2020, pp. A8-A12, A14.
Discusses recent disruptive events at Texas State University as a sign of the increasingly sharp racial and political divisions in the country. Highlights controversies between a conservative student and Kelly Stone, a lecturer in a sexuality class, who ultimately lost her teaching position. Mentions Stone is now running for a spot on the Texas Railroad Commission. - 20.02.26 / "This university's board has the power to fire anyone — 'even down to the janitor'." By Lindsay Ellis. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 14, 2020, pp. A18-A19.
Highlights the Texas Southern University Board of Regents' recent bylaws change, which gives them power to fire any university employee, and the board's action to place President Austin A. Lane on administrative leave while they review potential improprieties in admissions. Comments the bylaws change could run afoul of accreditation standards and is not considered a "best practice" for boards. - 20.02.27 / "The border of business." By Jessica Corso. Dallas Business Journal, February 14, 2020, pp. 24-25.
Discusses how the North American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA]'s renegotiation as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement [USMCA] could impact Texas businesses. - 20.02.28 / "The economics of migration: Delayed reaction." Economist, February 15th-21st, 2020, pp. 19-20.
Examines whether a decline in America's immigrant population is connected to the nearly ten percent increase in wages of people without a high school diploma. - 20.02.29 / "Hospital use declines after implementation of Virginia Medicaid's addiction and recovery treatment services." By Andrew J. Barnes, et al. Health Affairs, February 2020, pp. 238-246.
Considers the effects of Virginia's application of a Section 1115 waiver to reforming its Medicaid substance use disorder [SUD] treatment services. Found that treatment for opioid use disorder [OUD] increased, while emergency department and inpatient hospital use decreased among Medicaid beneficiaries with OUD. - 20.02.30 / "Explaining Texas v. U.S.: A guide to the case challenging the ACA." By MaryBeth Musumeci. Internet Resource, January 2020, pp. 1-10.
Addresses common questions about Texas v. U.S. and the status of the Affordable Care Act. Includes infographic timelines, a map indicating states' positions on the litigation, and flowchart of potential outcomes. - 20.02.31 / "Revisiting the proposal for a wealth tax." By Jack Salmon and Veronique de Rugy. Policy Brief (Mercatus Center, George Mason University), February 7, 2020, pp. 1-13.
Discusses the political debate about implementing a progressive wealth tax. Evaluates the potential outcomes of such a policy if implemented in the United States. - 20.02.32 / "Affordable utility service: Advice to regulators." By Kenneth Costello. Public Utilities Fortnightly, February 1, 2020, pp. 78-81.
Discusses different kinds of energy assistance used to address affordability problems and how effective the assistance is. - 20.02.33 / "Navigable Waters Protection Rule to replace WOTUS." By Jessica Domel. Texas Agriculture, February 7, 2020, p. 12.
Compares the new Navigable Waters Protection Rule [NWPR] with the 2015 Waters of the United States [WOTUS] rule. Proposes the NWPR will reduce regulatory uncertainty and limit federal control under the Clean Water Act. - 20.02.34 / "Clearing the haze." By Sean Price. Texas Medicine, February 2020, pp. 16-21.
Considers the problem of e-cigarettes and EVALI [e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury], particularly as they relate to teenagers' rising use of vaping products. Notes that vaping is subject to SB21, 86th Legislature, which forbids the sale of tobacco or vaping products to anyone under 21. - 20.02.35 / "News from America's best medical society." By Joey Berlin, Steve Levine, and David Doolittle. Texas Medicine, February 2020, pp. 10, 12, 14.
Highlights current policy issues of interest to Texas physicians, including the Texas Department of Insurance's emergency rule regarding surprise billing and SB1264, 86th Legislature; federal legislation on surprise billing; and extending postpartum Medicaid coverage.
- "A National Study of Veterans Treatment Court Participants: Who Benefits and Who Recidivates," Adm Policy Ment Health, 45 (March 2018)
- Texas Government Code, Chapter 124, Veterans Treatment Court Program
- Veteran Treatment Courts in Texas, TexVet
- Veteran Treatment Courts, Military.com
- "VA MISSION Act Making a Difference for Veterans" (Blog), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Report and Recommendations to the 86th Legislature (Charge 3 – Veterans health and Charge 4 – State-delivered federal services), Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Border Security, September 2018
- Interim Report (Charge 1 – Veteran health & mental health), Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, November 2016
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- MISSION Act Strengthens VA Care, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- "DOD Takes a Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention," U.S. Department of Defense, August 27, 2019
- Interim Report to the 86th Texas Legislature (Charge 6 – Veterans mental health & Veterans suicide prevention), House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs, December 2018
- Report and Recommendations to the 86th Legislature (Charge 3 – Veterans health), Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Border Security, September 2018
- Defense Suicide Prevention Office (Policy and Annual Suicide Report), U.S. Department of Defense
- State of Texas CDBG Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Action Plan: Building Stronger For a Resilient Future, Texas General Land Office, November 22, 2019
- Recovery Tracker, The Governor's Commission to Rebuild Texas, updated May 3, 2019
- CDBG – Disaster Recovery Grant History 1992 – 2019, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, June 20, 2019
- CDBG Entitlement Program Eligibility Requirements, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Disaster Relief Fund: Monthly Report, U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Disaster Relief Resources: Individuals and Families, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
- Investment Policy Statement, Teacher Retirement System of Texas, September 20, 2019
- A Vision as Big as Texas: 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Teacher Retirement System of Texas, November 20, 2019
- Texas Permanent School Fund Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Texas Education Agency, December 20, 2019
- Teacher Retirement System of Texas: Actuarial Valuation Report, November 14, 2019
- 19 Texas Administrative Code §§ 33.1-33.1001, Statement of Investment Objectives, Policies, and Guidelines of the Texas Permanent School Fund, Texas Education Agency
- HB 3384, relating to the authority of the comptroller to conduct a limited-scope review of an appraisal district located in an area declared by the governor to be a disaster area; and
- HB 4388, relating to the management of the permanent school fund by the School Land Board and the State Board of Education and a study regarding distributions from the permanent school fund to the available school fund;
- HB 4611, relating to certain distributions to the available school fund; and Contingent upon voter approval, study the implementation of HB 492 and HJR 34, relating to a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.
- Improve the State Response to Human Trafficking, Staff Reports, Legislative Budget Board, April 2019
- State Summary: Texas, from 2018 Federal Human Trafficking Report, The Human Trafficking Institute, 2019
- Interim Report to the 86th Legislature (Charge 4 – Human trafficking awareness and prevention), Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, December 2018
- Interim Report to the 86th Legislature (Charge 7 – Attorney General jurisdiction, human trafficking), Senate Committee on State Affairs, December 2018
- Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force Report 2018 to the Texas Legislature, Office of the Attorney General, December 2018
- Texas Safety Action Report, Governor Greg Abbott, September 12, 2019
- RAND State Firearm Law Database, RAND Corporation, October 10, 2019
- Interim Report to the 85th Legislature (Charge 7 – Oversight, Campus carry and Open carry), Senate Committee on State Affairs, November 2016
- Annual Statistical Report for the Texas Judiciary, Fiscal Year 2019, Office of Court Administration
- The Ultimate List of Driving Statistics for 2020, Driving-Tests.Org, 2020
- Alcohol-Impaired Driving (2018 Data), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, December 2019
- Fatality Facts 2018: State By State, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, December 2019
- Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics – 2018, Texas Department of Transportation, Processed as of May 6, 2019
- 2018 Update to the Texas Traffic Safety Information System Strategic Plan With MIRE Fundamental Data Element 9/30/2026 Implementation Plan, Texas Department of Transportation, May 2018
- Solutions for Saving Lives on Texas Roads: Texas Traffic Safety Task Force Report, Texas Department of Transportation, June 2016
- Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Encyclopedia (See State Traffic Safety Info), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Safety and Laws (Traffic Laws Designed to Ensure Safety), Texas Department of Transportation
- Internal Audit Follow-Up Report, Aviation: Flight Services, Texas Department of Transportation, May 2019
- State Passenger Aircraft Fleet Replacement Plan – UPDATE, Texas Department of Transportation, February 2019
- Internal Audit Follow-Up Report, Aviation: Flight Services, Texas Department of Transportation, November 2018
- Internal Audit Report, Aviation: Flight Services, Texas Department of Transportation, August 2017
- Texas Department of Transportation Staff Report 2016-2017, 85th Legislature (Issue 7 – State aircraft, flight services), Sunset Advisory Commission, November 2016
- State Aircraft Travel, Texas Department of Transportation
- SB 1915, relating to the board of pilot commissioners for Harris County ports; and
- SB 2223, as it relates to two-way directional routes
- "Energy Companies Fret Houston Ship Channel Traffic," Houston Chronicle, August 26, 2019
- Houston Pilots Navigation Safety Guidelines for the Houston Ship Channel, Houston Pilots, Approved August 22, 2019
- Texas Special District Local Laws Code § 5007.209, Port Commissioner Training
- Texas Transportation Code § 66.011-66.0172, Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Ports of Harris County
In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community.
- Explore trends in workforce development. (National Conference of State Legislatures, February 4, 2020)
- Read about identity and community in Black Americans. (Pew Research Center, February 5, 2020)
- Review President Trump's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. (The White House, February 10, 2020)
- Consider ways to prevent children from accessing adults' prescription medication. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 12, 2020)
- 20.02.13 / "How a fringe idea went mainstream." By Vimal Patel. Chronicle of Higher Education, January 31, 2020, pp. A8-A12.
Examines the $1.5 trillion student loan debt problem that is increasingly affecting the middle class. Argues the debt is a clear case of exploitation with the investor class making money from students as the debt is repackaged and sold. Predicts a solution will be found since President Trump and many Democrats are seeking a remedy. - 20.02.14 / "Praying for a political payoff?" By Rob Boston. Church & State, February 2020, pp. 4-5.
Analyzes the Trump administration's guidelines on prayer and other religious activities in public schools, released on January 16, 2020. - 20.02.15 / "America's quiet policing crisis." By Charles Fain Lehman. City Journal (Manhattan Institute), February 5, 2020, pp. 1-3.
Reports police departments across the United States are confronting a recruitment crisis. Includes the Police Executive Research Forum's recommendations on how to improve recruitment efforts. - 20.02.16 / "Car trouble." By Jessica Wehrman. CQ Weekly, January 21, 2020, pp. 14-21.
Explores the transitioning auto industry and its struggles to navigate the federal regulatory complexity recently created by policies of the Trump administration. - 20.02.17 / "Testing and college admissions: What's SAT?" Economist, February 8th-14th, 2020, pp. 23-24.
Examines the debate over the use of college entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT, as a requirement for college admissions. Discusses the lawsuit seeking to end the University of California System's use of these tests. - 20.02.18 / "Guns in political advertising over four US election cycles, 2012-18." By Colleen L. Barry, et al. Health Affairs, February 2020, pp. 327-333.
Observes that gun references have increased substantially in candidate-related ads in recent elections, particularly in communities more attuned to elections or that were near mass shootings. - 20.02.19 / "Implications of the rapid growth of the nurse practitioner workforce in the US." By David I. Auerbach, Peter I. Buerhaus, and Douglas O. Staiger. Health Affairs, February 2020, pp. 273-279.
Observes that the registered nurse [RN] workforce has been reduced following policy advocating for greater use of nurse practitioners to fill the health care gap left by physician shortages. - 20.02.20 / "State policy recommendations for addressing teacher shortages." By Ana Ramón. IDRA Newsletter (Intercultural Development Research Association), January 2020, pp. 1-2.
Identifies various alternative teacher certification programs that have been used in Texas, including the IDRA accelerated teacher certification model designed to prepare teachers for diverse classrooms. Presents seven policy recommendations for the Texas Legislature to consider in the areas of recruiting, preparing, and retaining highly qualified educators. - 20.02.21 / "Caring for tomorrow." By Alisa Chester. Internet Resource, January/February 2020, pp. 1-3.
Describes Texas hospitals' work to enhance access to pediatric mental health care, curb the outbreak of teen vaping, address the rising uninsured children rate, and use telemedicine to provide access to pediatric specialists in rural areas. - 20.02.22 / "Out-of-network bills for privately insured patients undergoing elective surgery with in-network primary surgeons and facilities." By Karan R. Chhabra, et al. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), February 11, 2020, pp. 538-547.
Evaluates out-of-network billing across common elective operations — like knee replacements, breast lumpectomies, and others — performed with in-network primary surgeons and facilities. Finds that almost 21 percent of episodes had an out-of-network bill. - 20.02.23 / "How Black Lives Matter is changing Black History Month." By Olivia B. Waxman. Time, February 17, 2020, pp. 18-19.
Examines how the Black Lives Matter movement is transforming how black history is being taught in public schools.