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What to Expect When You're Expecting...Session!

Jan 6

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation

The first day of the Regular Session is filled with activity and ceremony, and follows a schedule similar to first days past. The House and Senate journal entries for previous first days can be found on the library's website, and offer a glimpse into what to expect on January 10, 2017, when the 85th Texas Legislature convenes at noon.

Opening day of the 84th Legislative Session, January 13, 2015. Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

In the Senate, the first day of session is called to order by the Lieutenant Governor, while in the House the Secretary of State acts as Master of Ceremonies until the Speaker is elected. In both chambers, a roll call of members is taken to establish a quorum, and an invocation is offered. Members-elect will also take the oath of office. For information about members of the Texas Legislature, please visit our Texas Legislators: Past & Present page. 

Senator Troy Fraser, right, with his granddaughter on the opening day of the 84th Regular Session in 2015. Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

Representative Obie Jones with family during opening day of the 55th Legislature in 1957. Douglass, Neal. University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

In the House, an important piece of business on opening day is the election of the Speaker. Because the Speaker is elected before the permanent rules of the House are adopted for the current session, a motion is usually adopted to temporarily use the rules of procedure from the previous session. Current and historical rules of the House and the Senate can be found on the library's website. Procedures for nomination and election of the Speaker are passed via resolution. In many past sessions, nominating speeches were not to exceed 5 minutes and seconding speeches were not to exceed 4 minutes. The nominating and seconding speeches as well as the final vote tally are often recorded in the House Journal, and the library has compiled these documents on its website. 

 

Learn more about Speakers of the Texas House, 1846 - present.

 

In turn, the Senate elects the President Pro Tempore. Nominating and seconding speeches are also allowed for this election. Traditionally, the senator with the most seniority who hasn't previously served as President Pro Tempore would serve as the next President Pro Tempore. After the election, a committee is appointed to escort the President Pro Tempore-elect to the podium to take the oath of office and to address the Senate.

 

Learn more about Lt. Governors and Senate Presidents Pro Tempore, 1846 - present

 

At the beginning of session each chamber passes a resolution to spell out operational details. In the House, this is called the Housekeeping Resolution, and in the Senate, the Senate Caucus Report. Each chamber notifies the opposite chamber and the governor when their proceedings are concluded, organized, and ready to transact the business of Texas.

 

If you are unable to join us here in Austin, you can watch a live broadcast of the day's proceedings online at the House and Senate websites.

Thomas Reuben Bonner, Speaker of the Texas House during the 15th Legislature (1876).

Richard Bennett Hubbard Jr., Lt. Governor during the 15th Legislature (1876).

 

 

 

This entry was posted on January 6, 2017 at 9:00 AM and has received 1840 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, January 5

Jan 5

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools. 

  • Examine the ride-sharing industry and hurdles that ride-sharing companies face when expanding into major markets. (University of Miami Business Law Review, December 20, 2016)
  • Consider evidence-based strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016)
  • Read about a concussion tracking program in extracurricular athletics. (University Interscholastic League, December 12, 2016)
  • Explore views of parents and educators regarding special education services in Texas. (Texas American Federation of Teachers, December 16, 2016)

 

This entry was posted on January 5, 2017 at 3:15 PM and has received 798 views. Print this entry.

Sunset Commission Meeting, January 11, 2017

Jan 3

posted by TexasLRL in Sunset review

Sunset Commission Meeting, January 11  

January 11

Commission decisions:

Final vote on Commission recommendations to the 85th Legislature

Status report on implementation of 2015 Sunset recommendations

State Board of Dental Examiners (information on dental anesthesia) - Invited testimony only

Cover image by Pixabay user gsbarber.

This entry was posted on January 3, 2017 at 9:30 AM and has received 1381 views. Print this entry.

The Texas Capitol Ornament Program

Dec 20

posted by TexasLRL in Christmas

 

 

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Texas Capitol ornament program. In 1996, Nelda Laney (pictured left), wife of then-House Speaker Pete Laney, began this program as a way to raise money for restoration projects and education programs at the Capitol. Nadine Craddick, wife of former Speaker Tom Craddick, and Julie Straus, wife of current Speaker Joe Straus, have carried on this tradition. So far, the money raised from ornament sales has helped pay for several projects, including the restoration of the historic paintings within the Capitol as well as installation of historically accurate floor coverings in the House and the Senate chambers.

 

Typically, the official ornament highlights an architectural detail of the Texas State Capitol building. For example, designs from previous years include the rotunda ceiling, the rotunda floor, the Capitol's front gate, and the Goddess of Liberty statue, to name a few. This year, however, the Official Capitol Ornament depicts a Christmas tree decorated with the official ornaments from previous years.

 

Official Capitol ornaments are available for purchase at the Capitol Gift Shop or the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum Gift Shop.

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Nelda Laney was inspired to create this program after receiving a fundraising ornament sold by the White House historical society.
  • Since 1997, the Texas Bar Journal has featured the Official State Capitol Ornament on the cover of their December Issue.
  • Of the 20 ornament designs, 18 feature at least one star.
  • In 2014, a collector bought the one millionth ornament on eBay for $5,176.
  • The Capitol Visitors Center has two display cases that feature information regarding the design and assembly of the Official State Capitol Ornament.

 

 Below are photos of the Official Capitol Ornaments from 1996 - 2016.

 

An advertisement for the first Official
Capitol Ornament, featured in the October 1996 issue ofTexas Monthly.
The Official Capitol Ornaments from 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

 

The Official Capitol Ornaments from 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.
The Official Capitol Ornaments from 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

 

The Official Capitol Ornaments from 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
The Official Capitol Ornaments from 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

 Sources:

Photos of the Official State Capitol Ornaments from 1998, 2001, and 2002 are from the covers of the Texas Bar Journal.

 

This entry was posted on December 20, 2016 at 8:45 AM and has received 5147 views. Print this entry.

District Ornament Project at the Texas State Capitol

Dec 16

posted by TexasLRL in Christmas

What makes your community special? Since 2009, Texas artists have captured the spirit of their House Districts on glass ornaments used to decorate the House Chamber's 25-foot Christmas tree. The District Ornament Project tradition started when Julie Straus, wife of Speaker Joe Straus, was contemplating how to decorate such a large tree. Fortunately, Texas is a large state, with 150 districts, and has plenty of talented artists to help out.

 
"We bought hundreds of these clear glass ornaments and invited members to identify something special about their district, something about the way their community celebrated Christmas, and illustrate that on one of these ornaments," Straus said. "What came back was just beyond anything we ever could have imagined."
 

Some districts' ornaments are painted by Representatives' family members, some by professional artists, some by school children. Ornaments may represent superlatives—such as a rose-themed ornament for District 6, in honor of Tyler's nickname "The Rose Capital of America." They may depict local heroes, such as the portrait of Waco-born WWII hero Doris Miller on the District 56 ornament for 2015. Many are just full of holiday cheer! The tree will be on display at the State Capitol through January 3, but to get a closer look at the ornaments, an album is compiled each year and posted online. You also can see some of this year's ornaments in this photo set from the San Antonio Express-News.

 
1) From birds to grapefruits and much more, the District Ornament Project showcases the diversity of Texas' natural and human resources.
2) The Senate Christmas tree is a new tradition and also features ornaments celebrating Texas and its citizens.
3) In recent years, the Senate's holiday tradition was to decorate with poinsettias on the desks. In 2015, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick decided to add a tree "to make the Christmas spirit in the Capitol even bigger."

 

This entry was posted on December 16, 2016 at 4:20 PM and has received 2141 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, December 15

Dec 15

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools. 

  • Examine whether early-childhood education improves outcomes for children of low-income families. (Early Years blog, Education Week, December 12, 2016)
  • Consider school choice from an economic perspective. (The Perryman Group, November 28, 2016)
  • Review state laws related to presidential electors. (National Association of Secretaries of State, November 2016)
  • Keep your pets safe this season. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, December 17, 2015, reposted December 12, 2016)
Season’s greetings to our readers! Week in Review will return on January 5.

This entry was posted on December 15, 2016 at 3:15 PM and has received 686 views. Print this entry.

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

Dec 13

posted by TexasLRL in Christmas

The arrival of the Capitol Christmas trees is a tradition cherished by many. Three 7-foot Virginia Pines arrived by horse-drawn carriage at the Capitol on Tuesday, November 29th. The trees are from the Spring Creek Growers, a family-owned farm located in Montgomery County, and were delivered by Carla Jones, owner of Spring Creek Growers and President of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association. Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw, and Patricia Shipton of the Speaker's Office were on hand to greet Mrs. Jones. The trees are placed in various locations within the Capitol. 

 

Spring Creek Growers deliver Christmas
cheer to the Capitol.
Welcoming Carla Jones and family.

 
Accompanying the smaller trees were the 25-foot Christmas trees for the House and Senate chambers. These iconic trees are each about 10 years old and 12 feet in diameter, and come from the Elves Christmas Tree Farm. This is the sixth consecutive year that the farm has supplied Christmas trees for the Capitol.

 
Marshall Cathey of Elves Christmas Tree Farm loads the
25-foot tree onto a trailer. Lynnette George/Herald Democrat.

 

Senate Christmas Tree
House Christmas Tree

 

This entry was posted on December 13, 2016 at 2:45 PM and has received 1337 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, December 8

Dec 8

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.

  • Review presentation materials related to the Alamo Master Plan. (Reimagine the Alamo, November 30, 2016)
  • Evaluate the surprise bills patients receive for out-of-network costs within in-network facilities. (Yale News, November 16, 2016)
  • Explore statistics related to U.S. businesses. (U.S. Census Bureau, December 2016)
  • Examine public opinion related to President-elect Trump's policy proposals. (Gallup, December 1, 2016)

 

This entry was posted on December 8, 2016 at 3:15 PM and has received 466 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, December 1

Dec 1

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools. 

  • Review mental health services in Texas jails. (Texas Law, University of Texas at Austin, November 15, 2016)
  • Explore the privatization of American airports. (Cato Institute, November 21, 2016)
  • Consider how court fines affect people on low incomes. (American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, November 2016)
  • Examine the services economy. (Gigaom, November 29, 2016)
  • Read about women's earnings in 2015. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, November 2016)

This entry was posted on December 1, 2016 at 3:15 PM and has received 547 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy List for November 2016

Nov 30

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

New & Noteworthy List for November 2016Request Form (PDF)



To arrange check out and delivery of any of these items, please contact the library at 463-1252. 
 

1. Blue Texas: The Making of a Multiracial Democratic Coalition in the Civil Rights Era By Max Krochmal 
Examines the multiracial collaboration of African American, Mexican American, and white labor and community activists in Texas from the 1930s-1960s, as they worked to promote liberal politics and civil rights activism. Draws from archival sources and oral histories to describe how diverse groups united to form the Democratic Coalition of the 1960s and push back against Jim Crow and Juan Crow. Draws comparisons to contemporary efforts by Texas Democrats and organizations like Battleground Texas.
University of North Carolina Press, 2016. 421 pages. 
324.2764 K912B 2016


 

 

2. Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream By Sara Goldrick-Rab 
Presents evidence that the current financial aid system in the U.S. is failing. Draws from a study of 3,000 students aided by federal aid and Pell grants who entered public colleges and universities in 2008. Describes the results of the study, which found that over half the students left school without a degree and huge amounts of debt due to the exorbitant costs of higher education and a lack of money. Chronicles the experiences of six individuals, whose struggles highlight the human and financial costs of insufficient and short-sighted financial aid policies. Offers practical solutions for fixing the college affordability crisis and saving the American Dream.
The University of Chicago Press, 2016. 373 pages. 
378.3 G569P 2016


 

 

3. Mission High: One School, How Experts Tried to Fail It, and the Students and Teachers Who Made It Triumph By Kristina Rizga 
Profiles the story of several students, teachers, and the administration of Mission High School in San Francisco, California to illustrate the effect education reforms and standardized testing has on students' education and their futures. Questions how, over the course of four years, students at Mission High School can excel in classes and get accepted into college, yet still struggle with standardized testing metrics which results in a "low-performing" rating for the school. Argues that critical thinking, self-management, personalized classrooms, and cultural flexibility are better suited to gauge qualities that matter most when it comes to learning, not standardized tests.
Nation Books, 2015. 295 pages. 
371.26 R528M 2015


 

 

4. The Train to Crystal City: FDR's Secret Prisoner Exchange Program and America's Only Family Internment Camp During World War II By Jan Jarboe Russell 
Explores the internment of over 6,000 German, Italian, and Japanese immigrants at Crystal City, Texas during World War II. Focuses on the stories of two American-born children, Ingrid Eiserloh and Sumi Utsushigawa, to show what life was like at the camp which operated from 1942 to 1948. Notes the camp was the center of a government prisoner exchange in which these families were exchanged for Americans being held by Germany and Japan. Concludes the "fundamental questions of citizenship, the status of aliens - indeed the definition of who is and who is not an American - are perennial" and therefore, this story holds high relevance for us today.
Scribner, 2015. 393 pages. 
940.53 R914T


 

 

5. The Gates of the Alamo: A Novel By Stephen Harrigan 
Tells the famous story of the siege and fall of the Alamo through historical fiction, featuring many historical personalities, including James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis. Focuses on three characters: naturalist and intellectual Edmund McGowan, widowed innkeeper Mary Mott, and Mary's sixteen-year-old son Terrell Mott. Narrates the Alamo story not only from the perspective of American defenders but Mexican soldiers as well.
A.A. Knopf, 2000. 577 pages. 
813.54 H235G 2000


 

 

6. Miles and Miles of Texas: 100 Years of the Texas Highway Department By Carol Dawson and Roger Allen Polson
Presents a chronological perspective of the 100-year history of the Texas Highway Department, now called the Texas Department of Transportation. Highlights the development of the department as a state agency, and explores how evolving infrastructure and technological changes led to improvements in modes of transportation. Includes visual elements such as photographs, maps, and illustrations. 
Texas A&M University Press, 2016. 407 pages. 
388.109764 D323M 2016

 

 

This entry was posted on November 30, 2016 at 3:10 PM and has received 1119 views. Print this entry.

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