Legislative library home page
Legislative Reference Library of Texas
your partner in legislative research
Legislative Reference Library of Texas
your partner in legislative research
Skip to main content

New & Noteworthy: June 2019

Jun 26

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the five titles from our June 2019 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. Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration
By Emily Bazelon
Argues that prosecutors have unchecked power that is a major contributing factor to mass incarceration in the United States. Presents the issue in a compelling manner through the experiences of two young people who were caught up in the criminal justice system. Describes how reform within district attorneys' offices and changes to state laws could address the overuse of incarceration.
Random House, 2019. 409 pages.
345.73 B347C 2019


 

 

2. Economics of Higher Education in the United States
By Thomas Adam and A. Burcu Bayram, editors
Analyzes the changing economic environment of higher education and reviews the historical roots of the student debt crisis. Claims today's focus on college tuition and student loans derived from a fundamental shift in the historically-defined purpose for a college education – what was once perceived as a public good, normally free to the user, developed into an environment in which higher education became a privilege, determined by financial wealth and market forces. Suggests prohibitive higher education costs could hamper states' efforts to create the skilled workforce key to states' economic growth and necessary to meet employers' needs.
Texas A&M University Press, 2019. 209 pages.
378.3 AD14E 2019


 

 

3. The Meanest Man in Congress: Jack Brooks and the Making of an American Century
By Timothy McNulty and Brendan McNulty
Profiles former Congressman and Texas Representative Jack Brooks, a Democrat who served in the 50th and 51st Texas legislatures and the U.S. House of Representatives from 1953 through 1995. Describes his life, from his upbringing in Beaumont and enlistment in World War II to his political career under ten U.S. presidents. Highlights Brooks' influence as a member of the Texas congressional delegation, his leadership roles on congressional committees and subcommittees, his insistence on government oversight, and his successes in passing bipartisan legislation. Describes his candid manner and demanding methods which earned him the (mostly complimentary) reputation of being the "Meanest Man in Congress." Details his roles in advancing LBJ's Great Society, the impeachment of Nixon, and investigating the Iran-Contra Affair.
NewSouth Books, 2019. 509 pages.
328.73092 M235M 2019


 

 

4. The River and the Wall
By Ben Masters
Chronicles the ambitious trip of three Texans along the U.S.-Mexico border from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico. Illustrates border issues through photography, firsthand experiences, environmental features of the Big Bend and the Rio Grande, and interviews with landowners, immigrants, and U.S. Representatives Will Hurd and Beto O'Rourke.
Texas A&M University Press, 2019. 188 pages.
917.64 M393R 2019


 

 

5. Summary of Conference Committee Report for House Bill 1: Appropriations for the 2020-21 Biennium
By Legislative Budget Board
Presents an overview of the conference committee report for HB 1, 86th Legislature. Details the total appropriations for the 2020–21 biennium by each method of finance for each article in the bill. Provides a comparison point between the different versions of the bill as it progressed through budget deliberations, enabling readers to identify the differences between chamber bills, or a specific chamber’s changes.
Legislative Budget Board, 2019. 77 pages.
Online at: http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/Documents/Appropriations_Bills/86/Conference_Bills/5872_S12_Bill_Summary.pdf
L1300.8 B859 202021SC

This entry was posted on June 26, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1366 views. Print this entry.

Locating Bill Effective Dates on TLO

Jun 24

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Legislative process

The library reviews the text of all bills that become law to determine their effective dates and enters the information into Texas Legislature Online (TLO). To find the effective date of a bill, look up the bill in TLO and check the "Last action" field in the history window. In some cases, different sections of a bill may have different effective dates, in which case additional remarks will be given to provide the information.

 

For House and Senate bills from the 86th Regular Session (2019), the two largest groupings are:

  • Effective immediately: 473
  • Effective on 9/1/19: 820

The library compiles a more detailed list of bills and their effective dates following each regular and called session. The list is made available on the library's website once it is complete.

This entry was posted on June 24, 2019 at 1:21 PM and has received 1653 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, June 20

Jun 20

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.

  • Examine ways to address prescription drug pricing policy. (The Heritage Foundation, June 7, 2019)
  • Consider whether your tax information is secure. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 11, 2019)
  • See how Americans are accessing the internet. (Pew Research Center, June 13, 2019)
  • Explore how telehealth can reach patients in rural and underserved areas. (National Conference of State Legislatures, May 30, 2019)

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

  • "New psychiatric hospital seen as key to boosting care, saving money." By Will Anderson. Austin Business Journal, June 7, 2019, pp. 12-13.
    Highlights SB2111, 86th Legislature, relating to the redevelopment of the Austin State Hospital campus, a key step to improving mental health treatment. Includes comment by Senator Kirk Watson.
  • "SNAP caseload and spending declines have accelerated in recent years." By Dorothy Rosenbaum and Brynne Keith-Jennings. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, June 6, 2019, pp. 1-20.
    Examines the decline in participation and spending in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP], formerly food stamps, and possible contributing reasons factors of the improving economy and the three-month time limit on SNAP participation by childless adults without disabilities. Includes table of SNAP caseload changes by state, showing Texas with a 9.3 percent decrease in average monthly SNAP participants from 2013-2018.
  • "Supporting older youth beyond age 18: Examining data and trends in extended foster care." By Rachel Rosenberg and Samuel Abbott. Child Trends, June 2019, pp. 1-16.
    Analyzes the effect of extended foster care, when youth stay in care past age 18 with additional services and supports, on important young adult outcomes, including high school graduation/GED, employment, school enrollment, homelessness, and young parenthood. Finds permanency rates are largely stable in states that have implemented extended foster care.
  • "As abortion battles intensify in states, misperceptions abound." By Samantha Laine Perfas and Jessica Mendoza. Christian Science Monitor, June 3, 2019, pp. 14-15.
    Considers the abortion issue in terms of facts, context, and political rhetoric.
  • "Alternative energy — castles in the sky?" Economist, June 8th-14th, 2019, pp. 71-72.
    Points out a new approach to generating electricity from the wind without the use of wind turbines.
  • "America First trade policy." Economist, June 8th-14th, 2019, pp. 65-66.
    Points out how the Trump administration's trade policies are challenging the multilateral trade system. Discusses the consequences of weaponizing tariffs to effect change in other countries' trade policies.
  • "Charting the continued friction between K-12 spending, equity." By Alex Harwin and Sterling C. Lloyd. Education Week, June 5, 2019, pp. 10-12.
    Analyzes federal data to grade how well states are doing with K-12 spending and the equitable distribution of school funds. Reports Texas received a grade of D+ on this year's Quality Counts school finance report card.
  • "Maximizing job creation bang-for-buck by reducing import leakages." By Josh Bivens. EPI Policy Memorandum, June 13, 2019, pp. 1-11.
    Finds that ambitious investment in infrastructure and reducing the United States trade deficit that allows jobs to "leak" outside the economy will create thousands of additional manufacturing jobs in the United States, putting American manufacturing production on a more level playing field with global competitors.
  • "How accurate are net price calculators?" By Laura Perna and Jeremy Wright-Kim. Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, May/June 2019, pp. 8-9.
    Finds that some net price calculators on college and university websites are difficult to locate, work inconsistently, and present information in ways that may mislead students and families on the expected cost of attendance.
  • "School counselors express concerns about college and career advising in Texas." By Hector Bojorquez. IDRA Newsletter (Intercultural Development Research Association), May 2019, pp. 1-2, 4.
    Reports on preliminary findings from a study of how counselors view their roles, including the effects of the endorsement system of college or career pathways set up by 2013 legislation in Texas.
  • "The Permian's demographics." By Paula Dittrick. Oil and Gas Journal, June 3, 2019, p. 14.
    Summarizes the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association's [TIPRO] 2019 Permian Basin Report, which looks at trends in the labor force, education, and population in a 61-county area known as the Permian Basin region.
  • "Oh deer." By Tate Watkins. Reason, July 2019, pp. 33-35.
    Reviews the history of wildlife management in the United States. Considers how developing a legal market for venison could control the deer population, similar to the Texas program that allows harvesting of wild hogs.
  • "Education: Unlocking access." By Bennett G. Boggs and Lesley Kennedy. State Legislatures, May/June 2019, pp. 6-11.
    Examines whether free college policies — known as promise programs — are making the grade. Points out six criteria successful promise programs should pursue.
  • "A disappointing end to eminent domain reform efforts." By Russell Boening. Texas Agriculture, June 7, 2019, p. 2.
    Discusses SB421, 86th Legislature, relating to eminent domain reform in Texas, which stalled during the Texas Farm Bureau's attempts at compromising with the state's oil and gas industry. Mentions HB991, 86th Legislature.
  • "Who counts?" By Eric Benson. Texas Monthly, June 2019, pp. 54-60.
    Discusses the 2020 census and efforts to ensure a complete count, especially in Hidalgo County. Examines the effect a citizenship question could have on participation and the repercussions of an undercount for Texas. Mentions Representative Cesar Blanco.

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 June 20, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1159 views. Print this entry.

Bill Statistics after Signing/Veto Period, 86th Legislature

Jun 17

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Bill statistics, Legislative process, 86th Session

Sunday, June 16 was the last day the Governor could sign, veto, or allow to become law without his signature bills presented to him less than 10 days (not counting Sundays) prior to final adjournment of the 86th Regular Session.

 

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 17 at 1 p.m.

  • To see how these statistics have changed since last week, please view our blog post from June 12 and June 10.
  • To learn about session law chapter numbers and copies of signed bills, please view our blog post from June 5.

 

House and Senate Bills
Filed 7,324
Sent to the Governor 1,429
Signed by the Governor 1,229
Vetoed by the Governor 56
Filed without the Governor's signature 144
House and Senate Joint Resolutions
Filed 217
Filed with the Secretary of State 10
House and Senate Concurrent Resolutions
Filed 254
Filed with the Secretary of State 29
Sent to the Governor 96
Signed by the Governor 94
Vetoed by the Governor 2
Filed without the Governor's signature 0

 

This entry was posted on June 17, 2019 at 2:40 PM and has received 4556 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, June 13

Jun 13

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.

  • Consider Americans' viewpoints on misinformation. (Pew Research Center, June 5, 2019)
  • Find signed copies of bills via the Secretary of State's website. (Texas Secretary of State, accessed June 12, 2019)
  • Explore legislation state by state related to consumer data privacy. (National Conference of State Legislatures, June 7, 2019)
  • Read about how toll charges vary among drivers from in state and out of state. (Stateline, June 7, 2019)

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

  • "Less than 'zero tolerance.'" By Lorelei Laird. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, June 2019, pp. 16-18.
    Examines whether federal drug crime prosecutions are taking a back seat to misdemeanor unlawful entry prosecutions required under the zero tolerance policy for immigrants who cross the border without authorization.
  • "Winners and losers at the Capitol." By Kimberly Reeves. Austin Business Journal, June 7, 2019, pp. 20-21.
    Picks groups that benefitted the most or lost out in the 86th Legislature.
  • "The impact of imposing sales taxes on business inputs." By Andrew Phillips and Muath Ibaid. Council on State Taxation, May 2019, pp. 1-27 (Note Length).
    Analyzes state sales taxation of business purchases and negative implications for overall state tax policy, including pyramiding, lack of transparency, and competitiveness. Discusses the previous failure of broad-based sales tax reform efforts to exempt business inputs in Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Nebraska. Includes state tables on the estimated business share of state and local taxes.
  • "Climate change and the Midwest: Soaked and less sceptical." Economist, June 1st-7th, 2019, pp. 21-22.
    Explains how floods and storms are revising inland America's attitude to climate change.
  • "School funding: Testing time." Economist, June 8th-14th, 2019, p. 29.
    Examines the effects of public school budget cuts during the Great Recession on pupils' test scores. Related information at: https://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/11-29-17sfp.pdf.
  • "86th Texas Legislature." By Cassandra Pollock. Fort Worth Business Press, June 3-9, 2019, pp. 14-15.
    Examines the performance of Dennis Bonnen as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the regular session of the 86th Legislature. Includes quotes from both Democratic and Republican members of the House.
  • "Updated opportunity zone rules ease investor concerns." By Jeff Jeffrey. Houston Business Journal, May 23, 2019, pp. 26-27.
    Reports on the recent Department of the Treasury's guidance on IRS rules for opportunity zones that may ease investors' concerns while also spurring economic development.
  • "Ten tips for policymakers for improving probation." By Marc Levin. Internet Resource, May 2019, pp. 1-12.
    Discusses probation as an alternative to incarceration and provides ten tips to increase its effectiveness, fairness, and efficiency. Mentions SB1055, 82nd Legislature.
  • "Toward equality of educational opportunity: What's most promising?" By Arthur E. Wise. Phi Delta Kappan, May 2019, pp.8-13.
    Reviews three reform strategies that have been employed to provide broader access to high-quality teaching and education resources. Explains improvements in teacher professionalism and quality offers more promise than equity lawsuits or renewed standards and accountability.
  • "Foster care crisis opens doors to second-chance parents." By Teresa Wiltz. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), June 5, 2019, pp. 1-6.
    Reports several states have enacted or proposed laws making it easier for parents to reinstate their parental rights after they have been terminated. Notes critics' concerns that returning kids to unfit parents will jeopardize their safety.
  • "What's killing Texans?" By Sean Price. Texas Medicine, June 2019, pp. 22-29.
    Explains Texas' system for investigating deaths and completing death certificates. Notes HB3716, 86th Legislature, which potentially lowers the number of medical examiner offices in Texas. Calls for greater physician education on why completing death certificates correctly is vital to collecting accurate death statistics.
  • "The price of oil." By Christian Wallace. Texas Monthly, June 2019, pp. 76-80, 145-157.
    Profiles the effects of the oil industry on residents of the Permian Basin. Discusses how the current boom has increased the cost of living and negatively impacted education and roads in the region. Mentions Rep. Brooks Landgraf.

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 June 13, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1080 views. Print this entry.

Updated Bill Statistics, June 12

Jun 12

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Bill statistics, Legislative process, 86th Session

June 16 is the last day the Governor can sign, veto, or allow to become law without his signature bills presented to him less than 10 days (not counting Sundays) prior to final adjournment of the 86th Regular Session.

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 12 at 1 p.m. The Governor continues to be hard at work reviewing bills, so the signing numbers are growing! To see how these statistics have changed and other post-session information, see previous blog posts on the legislative process.

 

86th Legislature Statistics

 

House and Senate Bills
Filed 7,324
Sent to the Governor 1,429
Signed by the Governor 862
Vetoed by the Governor 7
Filed without the Governor's signature 80
House and Senate Joint Resolutions
Filed 217
Filed with the Secretary of State 10
House and Senate Concurrent Resolutions
Filed 254
Filed with the Secretary of State 29
Sent to the Governor 96
Signed by the Governor 85
Vetoed by the Governor 0

 

This entry was posted on June 12, 2019 at 1:35 PM and has received 1862 views. Print this entry.

Bill Statistics, Two Weeks After Sine Die, June 10

Jun 10

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Bill statistics, Legislative process, 86th Session

June 16 is the last day the Governor can sign, veto, or allow to become law without his signature bills presented to him less than 10 days (not counting Sundays) prior to final adjournment of the 86th Regular Session.

 

The following bill statistics were calculated on June 10 at 1:45 p.m. To see how these statistics have changed and other post-session information, see previous blog posts on the legislative process.

 

 

86th Legislature Statistics

House and Senate Bills
Filed 7,324
Sent to the Governor 1,429
Signed by the Governor 484
Vetoed by the Governor 7
Filed without the Governor's signature 45
House and Senate Joint Resolutions
Filed 217
Filed with the Secretary of State 10
House and Senate Concurrent Resolutions
Filed 254
Filed with the Secretary of State 29
Sent to the Governor 96
Signed by the Governor 79
Vetoed by the Governor 0

 

This entry was posted on June 10, 2019 at 2:15 PM and has received 2214 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, June 6

Jun 6

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 how the federal government is addressing concerns about privacy related to face recognition technologies. (Government Accountability Office, June 4, 2019)
  • Find the latest reports produced by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission. (Texas Health & Human Services, accessed June 5, 2019)
  • Prepare for hurricane season. (Texas Department of Public Safety, May 31, 2019)
  • See legislation related to occupational licensing. (Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation, accessed June 5, 2019)

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

  • "Beyond us and them: The role of trust in vaccine controversy." By Amanda Paulson. Christian Science Monitor, May 27, 2019, pp. 10-11.
    Argues the vaccination controversy is not a scientific problem but a social problem created by lack of faith in government, the health-care system, and pharmaceutical companies.
  • "Child-safe internet: The kids aren't alright." Economist, May 25th-31st, 2019, p. 66.
    Reports members of the United States Congress are drafting multiple bills to regulate how internet and social media platforms treat children — the internet equivalent of the Children's Television Act of 1990.
  • "The Texas Legislature wraps up: Hide your crazy." Economist, June 1st-7th, 2019, p. 24.
    Summarizes the 86th Texas Legislature, calling it the most productive legislative session in a decade.
  • "Bound to win." By Jill Lepore. New Yorker, May 20, 2019, pp. 76-82.
    Reviews the evolution of political memoirs or autobiographies, focusing on books by current presidential candidates.
  • "Report: Industry appeal to investors at all-time low." Oil and Gas Journal, May 6, 2019, pp. 31-33.
    Summarizes a series of articles from Deloitte, "Decoding the O & G Downturn," which explores the oil and gas industry's struggles with uncertainty in the markets and low prices.
  • "Ensuring equitable access to great teachers: State policy priorities." By Elizabeth Ross. Phi Delta Kappan, May 2019, pp. 20-26.
    Reports on a study of the state plans required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 to ensure vulnerable student populations have equitable access to talented teachers.
  • "How state pension subsidies undermine equity." By James Shuls, et al. Phi Delta Kappan, May 2019, pp. 37-41.
    Reviews recent studies to understand how some methods of funding teacher pensions can have a role in school finance inequity.
  • "Towards a new energy efficiency world order: Revisit our metrics." By Keith Dennis. Public Utilities Fortnightly, May 2019, pp. 100-102.
    Argues that energy efficiency program models need to be updated in order to adapt to changes in the energy industry.
  • "The heartbreaking, lifesaving practice of welcoming 'unaccompanied' child migrants." By Shikha Dalmia. Reason, June 2019, pp. 14-15.
    Compares and contrasts the movement to rescue children from life-threatening poverty and violence in Europe after World War I with the treatment of Latin American children attempting to gain asylum in the United States today.
  • "Palliative care beyond hospice is spreading to more states." By Michael Ollove. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), May 29, 2019, pp. 1-6.
    Reports more states are extending palliative care benefits to people who are not close to death, but who are living with serious illnesses. Explains state programs and policies vary according to geography, hospital size and income. Reports at http://features.commonwealthfund.org/health-care-in-america and https://nashp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Palliative-Care-Brief-Final.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 June 6, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 993 views. Print this entry.

Finding Signed Copies of Bills and Session Law Chapter Numbers

Jun 3

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Legislative process

Looking for signed copies of bills, or trying to determine in what session law chapter a bill can be found? Here are some tips.

 

Signed copies of bills

Bills that the Governor signed or allowed to become law without his signature are sent to the Secretary of State's office, where they will be made available online on the Bills and Resolutions page. The signing deadline for the 86th Legislature is Sunday, June 16.

 

You can determine whether a bill sent to the Governor was signed or filed without signature by checking the bill in the Texas Legislature Online. If the bill passed but was filed without signature, you will see the action "Filed without the Governor's signature."

 

Signed copies from the 78th - 85th Legislatures are available online at the University of North Texas Laws and Resolutions Archive. Copies of signed bills older than the 78th Regular Session are available through the Texas State Archives. Please call (512) 463-5480.

 

Session law chapter numbers

The Secretary of State's Bills and Resolutions page also lists the session law chapter number that is assigned to each bill that has become law. The session laws contain the text of all bills passed into law during a particular legislative session. Chapter numbers are used primarily for citing a bill in a legislative history annotation.

 

For questions about bill/chapter numbers for bills from the 86th R.S., please contact the Secretary of State's office at (512) 463-5561.

 

Session law chapter citations for previous sessions are available online through the Legislative Archive System. To view the complete bill/session law chapter cross reference table for a session, select the legislature in the "search by session law chapter" option and leave the chapter box blank. The LRL will be working to add these records for the 86th regular session.

 

This entry was posted on June 3, 2019 at 10:00 AM and has received 2039 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 30

May 30

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. 

  • Take advantage of Free Fishing Day in Texas. (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, May 24, 2019)
  • Learn about the different types of public lands in America. (Outside, May 22, 2019)
  • Find sun protection tips to help lower the risk of skin cancer. (The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, May 9, 2019)
  • Prevent vehicular heatstroke in children. (National Safety Council, ©2019)
  • Consider pet safety during car travel. (American Veterinary Medical Association, ©2019)

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

  • "Autocorrect." By Jonathan Rauch. Atlantic Monthly, June 2019, pp. 11-14.
    Highlights a project from Duke University's Reporters Lab that demonstrates the possibility of successful real-time, automated fact checking of political speeches and statements.
  • "Wall-to-wall turmoil." By Camila DeChalus. CQ Weekly, May 6, 2019, pp. 14-29.
    Provides a report card on President Donald Trump's efforts to address immigration issues. Includes a policy-by-policy examination of how the administration has fared on the immigration agenda.
  • "Policing and technology: Files, not faces." Economist, May 25th-31st, 2019, pp. 27-28.
    Comments on the growing public skepticism over the deployment of new technologies used by law enforcement officers, noting critics' concerns about the threats to privacy and civil liberties. Mentions San Francisco's ban on the use of facial-recognition systems.
  • "Emergency management in Texas: How the state prepares for the worst." By Spencer Grubbs. Fiscal Notes, May 2019, pp. 1, 3-6.
    Explains the structure of emergency management response to natural disasters in Texas, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management [TDEM], Texas Emergency Management Council, the 24 Texas disaster districts, the State Operations Center, and the Comptroller's Statewide Procurement Division. Notes the legislative history of emergency management in the Texas Civil Protection Act of 1951 (HB784, 52nd Legislature) and the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 (HB2032, 64th Legislature).
  • "'Future-proofing' Texas against natural disaster: The state plans for the next storm." By Peggy Fikac. Fiscal Notes, May 2019, pp. 7-10.
    Provides an overview of the historic flooding and economic impact of Hurricane Harvey. Discusses the storm resiliency recommendations in Eye of the Storm, the November 2018 report of the Governor's Commission to Rebuild Texas, and hurricane-related legislation in the 86th Legislature.
  • "Current proposals for Texas' investment in English learners still not enough." By Morgan Craven. IDRA Newsletter (Intercultural Development Research Association), April 2019, pp. 1-2, 6.
    Considers funding for English learner students in HB3, 86th Legislature. Applauds the additional weight given to non-English learners but points out that most students are not in dual language programs and therefore would not qualify for the increased funding.
  • "The case for free trade." By Scott Lincicome. National Review, May 20, 2019, pp. 26-28.
    Advocates for free trade, explaining trade and globalization have provided economic benefits to the American economy and national security.
  • "The economic forecast for Texas cities." By M. Ray Perryman. Perryman Report and Texas Letter, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 1-3, 6.
    Highlights the short-term economic forecast for the state's largest metropolitan statistical areas [MSAs] during the 2018-2023 period.
  • "Economic implications for the United States of a North America without NAFTA or USMCA." By Christine McDaniel. Policy Brief (Mercatus Center, George Mason University), May 21, 2019, pp. 1-11.
    Examines key economic implications for the United States in the absence of a North American trade agreement in the areas of market access for trade in goods, intellectual property rights, digital trade, e-commerce, and labor standards.
  • "Texas border economy." By James P. Gaines, et al. Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, May 22, 2019, pp. 1-20.
    Presents a monthly view of the Texas–Mexico border economy, as well as economic indicators in border housing markets. Includes statistics on total resident population, construction values, employment and unemployment, imports and exports, housing sales, home inventory, home median prices, and housing affordability.
  • "Meet the teens who want to get vaccinated against their parents' wishes." By Jillian Keenan. Reason, June 2019, pp. 36-38.
    Considers the question of when teenagers should have the right to make medical decisions for themselves, particularly related to vaccinations. Highlights laws in various states dealing with a variety of medical decisions by teenagers and when parental notification or consent is required.
  • "Neighbors suing over pig farms spur 'right-to-farm' push." By April Simpson. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), May 22, 2019, pp. 1-6.
    Highlights right-to-farm bills that legislatures in at least nine states have considered or enacted this year. Notes critics' concerns that new laws infringe on landowners' property rights, removing their ability to file legitimate nuisance claims.

 

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 May 30, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1294 views. Print this entry.

Previous Entries / More Entries