The Legislative Reference Library produces a weekly list of current journal articles for members of the legislative community. New lists are available most Thursdays at 3pm. The most recent list is below.

"Texas: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (state fact sheet 2015)." Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, February 27, 2015, pp. 1-2
Provides Texas state data on who participates in SNAP (formerly food stamps), what benefits they receive, and the role of SNAP in the economy.
See:http://www.cbpp.org/files ...

"Colleges ponder their options when racism is set in stone." By Madeline Will. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 20, 2015, p. A12
Considers the difficulty colleges have in determining when to remove a name from a building named after a now-controversial historical figure or when it honors the Confederate era in a way that harkens to a white supremacist legacy. Includes examples such as the case of Simkins dormitory at the University of Texas at Austin. Highlights how schools are attempting to strike a balance between history and sensitivity to students.

"Conservative centers spread on campuses via big gifts, low profiles." By Peter Schmidt. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 20, 2015, p. A8
Highlights recent report on growth on college campuses of college centers, programs, or institutes devoted to conservative or free-market-oriented perspectives. Summarizes report's key points and the views of the report's critics.
Report at: http://theahi.org/wp-cont ...

"FAQs about GMOs." Consumer Reports, March 2015, pp. 12-14
Distinguishes facts from misinformation related to foods that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Explains that GMO labeling is mandatory in more than 60 countries but not in the United States, making GMO labeling a hot-button issue in several states.
Related information at:http://www.centerforfoods ...

"Bill would tweak crowdfunding rules for nonprofits." By Kimberly Reeves. Dallas Business Journal, February 27, 2015, p. 19
Discusses HB1629, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, which proposes to give nonprofit organizations that are federally approved for lending a chance to participate in crowdfunding. Includes comments by Representative Eric Johnson.

"Unearthing opportunity: drillers aim to ride out oil crisis." By Nicholas Sakelaris. Dallas Business Journal, February 20, 2015, pp. 4-6
Reports that while some oil drilling companies are struggling to stay solvent, other companies are positioning to profit by paying for premium assets at a discount.

"The economic recovery: not quite what it seems." Economist, February 28th-March 6th, 2015, pp. 23-24
Discusses the state of manufacturing in America. Explains that without big improvements, the manufacturing sector will flounder again.

"Natural gas: golden scenarios." Economist, February 28th-March 6th, 2015, pp. 55-56
Describes a somber short-term picture for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, as new investments have stalled and other fuels are competing strongly with LNG.

"The community college route to the bachelor's degree." By Paul Attewell and David B. Monaghan. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, March 2015, pp. 70-91
Examines why attainment rates for bachelor's degrees are lower for students who start at a community college than for students who begin at a 4-year college. Attributes this graduation disparity more to students' credit losses upon transferring to a 4-year institution than academic performance or financial aid levels. Suggests it is important to understand this disparity since the 2-year college stepping stone route to a BA is attractive to many high school students and is being encouraged in some state legislatures.

"Regulating oil & gas activities to protect drinking water: the Safe Drinking Water Act's Underground Injection Control Program - overview and concerns." Internet Resource, January 2015, pp. 1-8
Provides an overview of how the Safe Drinking Water Act's Underground Injection Control Program regulates oil and gas underground injection activities. Includes discussion of aspects of the program that are out of date and ineffective in meeting the statutory goal of protecting underground resources of drinking water.
See:http://www.cleanwater.org ...

"Sharing clinical trial data." By Bernard Lo. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), February 24, 2015, pp. 793-794
Explores the possibility of sharing clinical trial data and how sharing could benefit the medical community and patients.

"Crackdown on vaccine exemptions." By Amanda Bronstad. National Law Journal, February 9, 2015, pp. 1, 5
Reports on the backlash against the antivaccination movement. Highlights proposed state legislation that would make it more difficult for parents to opt out of vaccinating their children. Mentions that several states have already passed laws requiring that parents meet with a health care professional before obtaining or qualifying for an exemption.

"US oil, gas industry eager to build on past success." By Nick Snow. Oil and Gas Journal, February 2, 2015, pp. 28-30, 32, 34
Presents opinions and comments from leaders in the domestic oil and gas industry who share optimism that the United States will become a leader in the oil and gas industries. Calls for an improved infrastructure, an end to crude oil exports ban, no federal regulation of limiting methane gas that escapes from fracking as industry is already addressing the issue.

"New York's natural gas path." By Ken Silverstein. Public Utilities Fortnightly, February 2015, pp. 14-16
Considers New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to ban high-volume hydraulic fracturing in the state saying fracking is not proven to be safe for humans and the environment. Notes neighboring Pennsylvania, which supplies a large amount of natural gas to New York, has been successful using strong regulations and new technology which has led to millions of dollars going to small communities. Includes California's and Colorado's energy policies towards use of fracking.

"How low can oil prices go?" By Ronald Bailey. Reason, March 2015, pp. 18-19
Highlights the factors to be considered in attempting to predict the price of oil for the next two to five years. Reviews the role of geopolitics, new technologies, demand, and pricing schemes.

"CTRMA learns lesson from TxTag debacle." By Kimberly Reeves. San Antonio Business Journal, February 20, 2015, p. 22
Summarizes the events leading to the customer service issues and billing difficulties that have plagued the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority. Quotes Senator Kirk Watson.

"Texas poised to pursue filmmakers harder." By Kimberly Reeves. San Antonio Business Journal, February 13, 2015, p. 19
Examines the potential economic effects film incentives could have on the State of Texas by luring film production here.

"Ebola war." By Helen Branswell. Scientific American, March 2015, pp. 48-55
Examines the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the race to create effective vaccines and treatments.

"How did state/local plans become underfunded?" By Alicia H. Munnell, Jean-Pierre Aubry, and Mark Cafarelli. State and Local Pension Plans (Center for Retirement Research at Boston College), January 2015, pp. 1-7
Investigates factors in the rise of unfunded state and local pension liabilities in 2001-2013, including poor investment returns amid two financial crises, and plans failing to make adequate contributions. Uses the Public Plans Database, a new tool for describing evolution of pension plans.
Related information at:http://crr.bc.edu/data/pu ...
See:http://crr.bc.edu/wp-cont ...

"Buckle up: high court changes seat belt rule." By John Council. Texas Lawyer, February 23, 2015, p. 8
Discusses recent opinion by the Texas Supreme Court that overruled the prohibition on seat belt evidence in civil lawsuits, Nabors Well Services v. Romero. Notes concerns with the ruling's effect on certain types of cases.
Related information at:http://www.txcourts.gov/m ...

"Obama's multi-pronged plan to regulate methane." By Sandra Y. Snyder and Timothy A. Wilkins. Texas Lawyer, February 23, 2015, p. 6
Reports the Obama Administration plans to roll out several initiatives targeted at reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector and methane flaring from new and existing wells on public and tribal lands.

"Do we need an ASD?" By Catherine Clark. Texas Lone Star (Texas Association of School Boards), February/March 2015, pp. 18-20
Suggests it is likely the creation of a Texas Achievement School District (ASD) will be addressed in the 84th Legislature. Discusses ASD legislation introduced in the 83rd Legislature that failed to pass. Examines arguments for and against creating a Texas ASD.

"Moving on: successes of the 83rd give way to realities of another session." By Dax González. Texas Lone Star (Texas Association of School Boards), February/March 2015, pp. 8-12
Discusses education-related issues being addressed in the 84th Legislative session including school finance, alternative education, career and technical education programs, school accountability, and truancy. Highlights bills authored by Representative Jimmie Dean Aycock and Senators Donna Campbell and John Whitmire.

"TSTA legislative report." Texas State Trooper (Texas State Troopers Association), February 2015, p.1
Lists the concerns and priorities for the Texas State Troopers Association for the 84th Legislative Session.

"Murder mitigation in the fifty-two American jurisdictions: a case study in doctrinal interrelation analysis." By Paul H. Robinson. Texas Tech Law Review, Fall 2014, pp. 19-40
Surveys the law in all 50 states governing mitigation or defense to murder liability. Reviews three doctrines considered mitigating factors in homicide cases: extreme mental or emotional disturbance, mental illness negating an offense element, and insanity. Includes a table listing citations to mitigation statutes in 52 jurisdictions.