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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 1112 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of August 6, 2018

Aug 1

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

August 7

House Select Committee on Opioids & Substance Abuse

Charge:  Impact of substance abuse and substance use disorders on Texans who are involved in the adult or juvenile criminal justice system and/or the Child Protective Services system 

Charge: Specialty courts in Texas that specialize in substance use disorders 

 

August 8

House Select Committee on Opioids & Substance Abuse

Topic: Public testimony on all previously considered committee charges

 

House Committee on Public Education

Charge:  State mechanisms for identifying and rewarding educators

Charge: Charter school system in Texas

 

August 9

House Committee on Public Health and House Committee on Human Services (Joint hearing)

Charge: Children involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) due to substance abuse or mental illness

Invited testimony on residential child care facilities, particularly the number of licensed facilities, recent complaints received regarding treatment of children at these facilities, and the status of  pending licenses

 

This entry was posted on August 1, 2018 at 3:00 PM and has received 1112 views. Print this entry.

Resource Highlight: 12th–15th Legislature Enrolled Bills Now Available

Aug 1

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Resource highlights, Search tips

Basic bill information for enrolled bills from the 12th–15th Legislatures (1870–1876) is now available in the Legislative Archive System (LAS). This includes bill numbers, captions, chapters numbers, and session law scans. We've also added the joint and concurrent resolutions that were published in the General and Special Session Laws to LAS from these sessions.

Enrolled bills from the 12th–15th Legislatures are accessible through both the direct search and the advanced search. When using the advanced search, select "View All" for the bill status.
 

Please note that enrolled bills from the following two sessions are only accessible through the direct search in LAS:

  • 12th Adjourned Session (Sept. 22, 1871–Dec. 2, 1871)
  • 14th 2nd Regular Session (Jan. 22, 1875–March 15, 1875)

For related information about these and other sessions, don't forget to check the session snapshot and the scanned House and Senate Journals.

Since LAS is a work in progress, complete information is not available for all bills and all sessions. Visit LAS' status page for more details about this ongoing project. For assistance using LAS, please contact the library.

 

 

This entry was posted on August 1, 2018 at 11:10 AM and has received 1470 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 813 views. Print this entry.

“A Texas Treasure: A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz” on Display at LRL

Jul 24

posted by TexasLRL in LRL news, Members of the Legislature, Texas Treasures

"Failure to have the views of the minority represented is failure to have a democracy.  The minority side of the house is seldom comfortable. You can become unpopular by just jogging people's conscience. If you keep telling them they know what is right, but aren't doing it, then you get to be a thorn under their saddle." – Babe Schwartz  

 

Sen. Babe Schwartz fought for what mattered to him throughout his career, and what a career it has been! You can learn more about Sen. Schwartz’s life and contributions in our exhibit, “A Texas Treasure: A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz.”

 

Born in 1926 to Russian immigrant parents, Aaron Robert “Babe” Schwartz grew up as a self-described “beach bum” on Galveston Island. After graduating from Ball High School, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1944–1946, and then in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1948–1953. Schwartz graduated from Texas A&M in 1948 and earned his law degree at the University of Texas in 1951. Later that year, he married wife Marilyn; they went on to have four sons and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

While in law school, Schwartz worked for the chief clerk's office in the Texas House of Representatives and in the Texas Legislative Council. He returned to his hometown to serve as a prosecutor in the Galveston County attorney’s office for a few years, but he was eager to run for office. Schwartz served as a representative from 1955–1959, and then as a senator from 1960–1981.

 

"I always felt it necessary to be a little better educated, a little better prepared, a little better briefed than my opposition." – Babe Schwartz

 

A thread that runs throughout Sen. Schwartz’s life is his affinity for the Texas coast. One of his first jobs—at age 11—was on the beach, renting beach chairs, umbrellas, and other shoreline gear. While serving in the legislature, he was instrumental in the creation of the 1959 Open Beaches Act and the passage of the Coastal Public Lands Management Act of 1973. He chaired multiple committees, many relating to beaches and the coast. After his terms in the legislature, Schwartz went on to serve as a lobbyist, often for environmental causes, and he taught law school courses including Ocean and Coastal Law. In honor of these contributions, "Babe's Beach," a stretch of shoreline west of 61st Street in Galveston, was dedicated in May 2016.

 
As his quotations above suggest, Sen. Schwartz also made quite a name for himself as a fighter who was willing and prepared to go nose-to-nose in the chambers. He participated in at least seven filibusters. Lt. Governor Bill Hobby even gave Schwartz a pair of boxing gloves after one of his debates.

 

"There are few people in recent Texas politics who have had as much impact as Babe has. He has provided a rallying post on bill after bill. He has been the real conscience of the Senate on any number of bad appointments over the years. He's experienced and perceptive and he can frequently catch a bad bill no one else sees. He has no reluctance to stand up and take on any issue that he perceives to be adverse to the public interest. His departure leaves a great void that will be difficult to fill." – U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who served in the 63rd, 64th, and 65th Texas Legislatures with Schwartz

 

Visit the LRL to see some of Sen. Schwartz’s memorabilia and to learn more about his life and career.

 

Sen. Schwartz passed away on August 10, 2018, at age 92. We will miss you, Babe!

This entry was posted on July 24, 2018 at 11:00 AM and has received 2146 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 990 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of July 23, 2018

Jul 18

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Interim hearings

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 24

House Committees on Business & Industry and Licensing & Administrative Procedures (Houston) 

Charge: Workforce to rebuild key infrastructure, as well as residential and commercial properties damaged by Hurricane Harvey; labor needs within construction industry

House Committee on Business & Industry (Houston)

Charge 2 (Partial): Existing law concerning consumer rights and protections, including but not limited to statutes that address deceptive practices, landlord/tenant agreements, and homeowner/contractor disputes. Determine whether the provisions offer adequate guidance and protections in disaster and recovery situations. 

  • Homeowner/Contractor disputes

Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools & School Security

Charge: Current protective order laws, merits of Extreme Risk Protective Orders, or "Red Flag" laws; Legal due process to protect Second Amendment rights

 

July 25

House Committee on Business & Industry (Houston)

Charge 2: Existing law concerning consumer rights and protections, including but not limited to statutes that address deceptive practices, landlord/tenant agreements, and homeowner/contractor disputes. Determine whether the provisions offer adequate guidance and protections in disaster and recovery situations. 

  • Earned Paid leave/Sick leave
  • Ban the Box
  • State office of Risk Management (SORM)
  • Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) and Firefighters/EMS
  • Zombie debt
  • Adverse Possession
  • Surprise balance billing

This entry was posted on July 18, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1108 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy List: July 2018

Jul 17

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the six titles from our July 2018 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. 51 Imperfect Solutions: States and the Making of American Constitutional Law
By Jeffrey S. Sutton
Highlights the important role of state courts and state constitutions in American constitutional law by examining stories of equal protection, criminal procedure, privacy, free speech, and free exercise of religion. Includes Texas in a discussion of equality and adequacy of school funding.
Oxford University Press, 2018. 278 pages.
342.73 SU87IM 2018


 

 

2. The Grand Duke from Boys Ranch
By Bill Sarpalius
Presents the compelling life story of Lithuanian American Bill Sarpalius, former U.S. Congressman and Texas Senator, who overcame extreme adversity in his youth before embarking on a path of public service. Recounts how his experience at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch changed the trajectory of his life and ultimately led him into state, national, and international politics. Details his many political causes including the launch of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Addiction (in memory of his mother), and the fight for Lithuania's freedom from the Soviet Union, for which he was named a "Grand Duke."
Texas A & M University Press, 2018. 322 pages.
328.73 S71G 2018


 

 

3. Hate: Why We Should Resist it with Free Speech, not Censorship
By Nadine Strossen
Discusses the ongoing debate on what comprises "hate speech" versus free speech when people publicly express views denigrating a person or a group. Analyzes "hate speech" laws and argues that they are nebulous, unfair, and incompatible with the core principles of the First Amendment, and in the end do more harm than good. Makes the case that the more effective way to limit "hate speech" is through "counterspeech" and activism rather than censorship.
Oxford University Press, 2018. 199 pages.
342.7308 ST89H 2018


 

 

4. Immunization: How Vaccines Became Controversial
By Stuart Blume
Explores the development of vaccine technology, then examines how immunizations have been incorporated into public health policy and practice. Observes that vaccine hesitancy has existed as long as mass vaccination campaigns have been conducted. Predicts that resistance to vaccines can be resolved only by addressing people's mistrust in the governments and pharmaceutical companies that promote immunizations.
Reaktion Books, 2017. 271 pages.
614.47 B625IM 2017


 

 

5. Who Will Care for Us? Long-Term Care and the Long-Term Workforce
By Paul Osterman
Describes the long-term care workforce, detailing how direct care workers are treated and viewed and the nature of their profession's labor market. Argues that enhancing direct care workers' skills and expanding their scope of practice will improve care, attract the workforce required, and reduce system costs. Addresses the political, regulatory, financial, and occupational challenges of meeting the growing demand for long-term care and of reforming the long-term workforce.
Russell Sage Foundation, 2017. 213 pages.
362.160973 OS7W 2017


 

 

6. The Humor and Drama of Early Texas
By George U. Hubbard
Offers a series of historical vignettes telling stories of early Texans on the frontier. Relates humorous and dramatic tales about gunslingers, statesmen, the railroads, Texas independence, and much more.
Republic of Texas Press, 2003. 296 pages.
976.4 H861H 2003

 

This entry was posted on July 17, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1035 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, July 12

Jul 12

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Week in review, Research Resources

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

  • Examine the relationships among opioid use, unemployment, and poverty levels. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, June 29, 2018)
  • Explore the efforts over time to preserve the Declaration of Independence. (Popular Mechanics, July 3, 2018)
  • Discover the differences between serving sizes and portion control. (Cooking Light, July 3, 2018)
  • Consider the effects of alcohol on pedestrians. (Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), July 5, 2018)

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

  • "Under questioning." By Kevin Davis. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, July 2018, pp. 36-43.
    Discusses the Chicago police legacy of extracting false confessions. Notes the city has paid more than $500 million in the past decade to settle misconduct and wrongful conviction lawsuits.
  • "Austin finds new weapon to combat lack of affordable housing." By Marissa Luck. Austin Business Journal, June 29, 2018, p. A8.
    Explains how Habitat for Humanity was able to use a "super density bonus" ordinance to increase the number of affordable housing units the organization is building in a transit-oriented development [TOD] district. Suggests the same concept could be applied in other TOD districts throughout the city.
  • "Detention centers are big business." By Alex Wayne, Jonathan Levin, and Jennifer Epstein. Bloomberg Businessweek, June 25, 2018, pp. 38-39.
    Explores how the zero-tolerance immigration policy led to an increase in children being placed in the custody of federal authorities, driving the need for more detention centers.
  • "New farm bill could shift funds for states." By Leslie Haymon. Capitol Ideas, May/June 2018, pp. 18-21.
    Previews significant changes to federal agricultural programs in the renewal of the farm bill in Congress, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, support for agricultural producers, rural broadband, and the Conservation Stewardship Program. Includes a title-by-title guide to the farm bill. Related information at: https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/ and https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2.
  • "Should cryptocurrencies be regulated like securities?" By Diego Zuluaga. CATO Briefing Papers, June 25, 2018, pp. 1-6.
    Discusses the negative consequences of subjecting cryptocurrencies to onerous securities registration requirements.
  • "Home ownership: A fading hope for many in DFW." By Bill Hethcock. Dallas Business Journal, June 22, 2018, pp. 16-18.
    Discusses factors that have shifted a large percentage of home buyers into the rental market. Notes the median sales price for an existing home in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington market has increased by 33 percent in just three years, and the wait time for a newly constructed home has doubled. Related information at: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/07/19/more-u-s-households-are-renting-than-at-any-point-in-50-years/.
  • "Cities: In praise of gentrification." Economist, June 23rd-29th, 2018, pp. 23-24.
    Extols the benefits of gentrification, highlighting studies that rebut the association between gentrification and displacement. Considers the reasons for the antipathy towards gentrification.
  • "State contracting: Spending — and watching — taxpayer dollars." Fiscal Notes, June/July 2018, pp. 7-10.
    Discusses the state's purchasing system, procurement policy and training, increased Comptroller oversight as a result of SB20, 84th Legislature and SB533, 85th Legislature, R.S., and the Legislative Budget Board's contract database.
  • "Women in the Texas workforce: State economy depends on women's success." By Brian Wellborn. Fiscal Notes, June/July 2018, pp. 1, 3-6.
    Highlights the economic impact of Texas women by industrial sector.
  • "How Texas hospitals help patients craft an end-of-life plan." By Mary Ann Roser. Internet Resource, May/June 2018, pp. 1-2.
    Considers increasing interdisciplinary efforts by Texas hospitals to improve end-of-life care for patients and their families. Points out the work of the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council, authorized by HB1874, 84th Legislature.
  • "Abortion-related adverse events by facility type." By Carolyn L. Westhoff and Anne R. Davis. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), June 26, 2018, pp. 2481-2482.
    Examines a study that found little difference in the occurrence of abortion-related morbidities and adverse events at ambulatory surgery centers vs. office-based settings. Highlights HB2, 83rd Legislature, 2nd C.S., as a case study of overly restrictive law that provides no discernible safety benefits.
  • "Evaluation of occupational exposure limits for heat stress in outdoor workers — United States, 2011–2016." By Aaron W. Tustin, et al. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), July 6, 2018, pp. 1-5.
    Reports that heat-related deaths can occur in temperatures in the mid-80s Fahrenheit for outdoor workers, not just at higher temperatures. Recommends that employers implement acclimatization programs, training to recognize heat stress symptoms and to deliver first aid, and provision of rest breaks, shade, and water.
  • "EIA: Gulf Coast port limitations may drive crude export costs higher." By Nick Snow. Oil and Gas Journal, June 4, 2018, p. 34.
    Reports that the Energy Information Administration has found that crude oil export costs could rise due to limited tanker loading capacities at Gulf Coast onshore ports that are unable to accommodate the largest of crude carriers. Related information at: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=36232.
  • "State-of-the-art wildfire protection: When a utility is challenged by broader resilience responsibility." Public Utilities Fortnightly, June 1, 2018, pp. 20-25.
    Provides a Q&A with the president of a gas and electric utility in California regarding ways the utility has adapted to various challenges from wildfires.
  • "The U.S. needs more immigrants." By Jack Goldstone. Reason, August/September 2018, pp. 54-58.
    Argues young workers are a key economic resource, and the United States needs immigrants to provide this resource in sufficient numbers for a vibrant economy.
  • "See-through solar cells could power offices." By Robert F. Service. Science, June 29, 2018, p. 1386.
    Discusses the technology and energy efficiency behind solar windows that could be used in commercial and residential construction.
  • "Market design change approved." Texas Public Power, June 2018, pp. 4-5, 7.
    Reports that ERCOT's board of directors has approved an adjustment in response to the Public Utility Commission's directive to revise the Operating Reserve Demand Curve. Summarizes the 2017 State of the Market Report for the ERCOT Electricity Markets. Related information at: http://interchange.puc.texas.gov/Search/Filings?UtilityType=A&ControlNumber=47199&
    ItemMatch=Equal&DocumentType=ALL&SortOrder=Ascending    . Report at: https://www.potomaceconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2017-State-of-the-Market-Report.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 July 12, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1511 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of July 16, 2018

Jul 11

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Interim hearings

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 17

House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock

Charge: Role of Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Animal Health Commission in the response to Hurricane Harvey; Impact of hurricane on producers in the agriculture and livestock industries in Texas 

Charge: How to improve, promote, and standardize the Texas olive and olive oil industry; Necessity of creating a commodity board or similar type of organization 

Charge: Privatizing Texas Department of Agriculture's Seed Certification Program and related areas through a nonprofit crop improvement association

Charge: Rules, regulations, and enforcement authority of the Texas Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Control Service

Charge: Evaluate the uses of industrial hemp and the economic feasibility of developing an industrial hemp market

 

July 18

Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools & School Security

Charge: Root cause of mass murder in schools including, but not limited to, risk factors such as mental health, substance use disorders, anger management, social isolation, the impact of high intensity media coverage, and desensitization to violence resulting from video games, music, film, and social media

 

House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism and House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock (Joint Hearing)

Charge: Cause of declining populations of monarch butterflies and bees; impact of these migratory species' decline on agricultural production and the economy

Monarch Butterflies:

Bees:

 

House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Charge 1: Roles of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's and the Texas Historical Commission's in the response to Hurricane Harvey; economic, recreational, and biological impacts and needed repairs from Harvey as they relate to applicable state agencies and the following areas and industries under the purview of the Committee:

  1. State parks
  2. Wildlife and fish
  3. Historic sites and buildings
  4. Art and cultural resources
  5. Travel and tourism
  6. Recommendations for timely recovery of these areas from Harvey, and mitigation of future natural disasters

Charge 2: Feasibility of establishing and mobilizing a volunteer contingency of private boat owners through the boat registration and license database administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to assist first responders during natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey

 

House Committee on Urban Affairs

Charge 5: Local government oversight of abandoned and substandard buildings, including buildings of historical significance

Charge 7: Monitor agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature

 

 

July 19

House Committee on Special Purpose Districts

Topic: Discussion of sections of the interim report

Top

 

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