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.

"How to graduate from Starbucks." By Amanda Ripley. Atlantic Monthly, May 2015, p. 60, 62-66, 68, 70-72
Provides an overview of the higher education program founded by Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz in partnership with Arizona State University to help Starbucks employees finish college. Explains the program is structured to provide individualized guidance with students being assigned an enrollment counselor, a financial adviser, an academic adviser, and a "success coach." Shares stories from some of the employees who are in the program and how the program is working for them. Points out that even though the program is relatively new, other corporations are considering whether this type of program would work in their culture.

"'All hands on deck': educators, business leaders cite urgent need to improve workforce skills." By Kimberly Reeves. Austin Business Journal, April 24, 2015, p. A14
Discusses the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's new long-range plan, 60x30Tx, which aims to increase the percent of Texans aged 25-34 with a postsecondary credential or degree to at least 60 percent by 2030 and completion rates currently at 38 percent to a globally competitive 60 percent. Notes one other major component of the long-range plan will be to keep college student debt below 60 percent of a first-year wage in the student's prospective industry.

"Activists hope to turn a debt strike into a movement." By Vimal Patel. Chronicle of Higher Education, April 17, 2015, p. A4
Examines the debt strike being staged by former students of Corinthian Colleges Inc. who claim the for-profit institution defrauded them. Considers whether the "defense to repayment" or other arguments will grow to encompass more types of student debt.

"State spending on higher education shows 'sizable' increase." By Goldie Blumenstyk. Chronicle of Higher Education, April 17, 2015, p. A12
Highlights data in the State Higher Education Finance report for FY2014 recently released by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Suggests improvements are underway but funding still remains below 2008-11 levels in inflation-adjusted dollars.
Report at: http://www.sheeo.org/site ...

"The little law school that could." By Jamie Thompson. D Magazine, May 2015, pp. 68, 70-71
Reviews the establishment of University of North Texas Dallas College of Law. Points out this public law school differs from other law schools in the area in that it accepts applicants with less than stellar academic credentials and charges an affordable tuition of $14,500 a year. Points out that the school's goal is to graduate attorneys that might go back to their communities and set up practice. Notes Senator Royce West, along with other leaders in Dallas, worked towards this school's founding.

"Mental health: out of the shadows." Economist, April 25th-May 1st, 2015, pp. 56-57
Reports that one in five working-age people in rich countries suffer from a mental condition each year, but over three-quarters of those suffering are treated by non-specialists or go untreated. Notes that the shortage of mental health care specialists and limited funding for community-based care has made American prisons the largest mental health institutions in 44 states, where police officers spend much of their time dealing with the effects of mental illness.

"Police culture; Police brutality in Chicago." Economist, April 25th-May 1st, 2015, p. 28
Considers whether police officers can be trained to use force safely and how to talk to low-level offenders without using "RoboCop" tactics that create hostility. Notes that the city of Chicago paid $500 million in claims related to police misconduct between 2004 and 2014.

"Schools weigh duty on religious rights." By Mark Walsh. Education Week, April 15, 2015, pp. 1, 19
Examines the complexity of state religious-freedom laws in the school environment. Details school-related lawsuits that have invoked religious-freedom laws. Highlights Texas case involving American Indian religious beliefs and the grooming policies of the Needville Independent School District.

"Lessons from a school district–university research partnership: the Houston education research consortium." By Ruth N. Lopez Turley and Carla Stevens. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, May 2015, pp. 6s-15s
Examines benefits and challenges of long term research partnerships between school districts and universities. Details why partnerships are not more common and how to increase their formation and improve their development. Profiles recent partnership between Rice University and the Houston Independent School District.

"Railroaded? High-speed rail plans face obstacles." By A. Lee Graham. Fort Worth Business Press, April 20-26, 2015, pp. 15, 17
Highlights legislation from the 84th Legislature that could derail high-speed rail in Texas. Discusses the $12 billion high-speed rail plan backed by Texas Central Railway and the likelihood it will succeed. Mentions Senator Lois Kolkhorst.
See:http://www.fwbusinesspres ...

"Is marijuana medicine?" Internet Resource, April 2015, pp. 1-4
Presents information about medical marijuana such as what it is, a description of cannabinoids, and why the marijuana plant is not an FDA-approved medicine. Mentions specific drugs that contain cannabinoids and their current use.
See:http://d14rmgtrwzf5a.clou ...

"Transforming the workforce for children birth through age 8: a unifying foundation." Internet Resource, April 2015, pp. 1-4
Highlights recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council (NRC) for early childhood education professionals who work with children birth through age 8. Finds that the research knowledge on child development is not fully reflected in the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and funding from government and other resources.
Report at: https://www.iom.edu/Repor ...
See:https://www.iom.edu/~/med ...

"Promising forecast for autism spectrum disorders." By Bryan H. King. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), April 21, 2015, pp. 1518-1519
Discusses recent developments in understanding of autism spectrum disorders. Mentions recent studies of temporal and environmental factors that could contribute to autism risk.

"State tax treatment of LLCs and LLPs: update for 2015." By Bruce P. Ely, William T. Thistle II, and J. Sims Rhyne III. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, May 2015, pp. 18-31
Presents annual multistate tax policy charts about limited liability companies (LLCs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) as of January 1, 2015. Discusses various state tax considerations, including conformity with federal income tax classification rules, entity-level taxes, and series LLC provisions, and notes a growing number of states exempt qualified investment partnerships (QIPs).

"States use credits and incentives to attract startups and technology companies." By Kevin Potter and John Kupcha. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, May 2015, pp. 34-36
Highlights technology industry credits and incentives in the states of New York and Louisiana and the city of San Francisco. Notes many states also incentivize venture capital investors that fund the early stages of technology startups.

"Magna Carta at 800: how a medieval charter shaped American law." By Eva Guzman. Journal of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society, Spring 2015, pp. 6-16
Considers the Magna Carta's early history, Sir Edward Coke's interpretation of the Magna Carta principles, and its imprint on Texas and the rest of the United States. Highlights the charter's impact on various Texas Constitutions.
See:http://www.texascourthist ...

"A setback for Obama critics: Fifth Circuit panel OKs deportation deferrals." By Marcia Coyle. National Law Journal, April 13, 2015, pp. 19, 23
Discusses a decision by a unanimous three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit which held in Crane v. Johnson that the state of Mississippi and federal United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents joining in the suit lacked standing to challenge President Obama's 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Considers how this decision will affect the appeal pending before the same court in Texas v. United States, brought by Texas and 25 other states, challenging the implementation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents program.
Related information at:http://www.ca5.uscourts.g ...
Related information at:http://www.txs.uscourts.g ...

"Where are the children?" By Sarah Stillman. New Yorker, April 27, 2015, pp. 40-53
Considers the migrant-extortion market that has grown as organized crime has gotten into human smuggling. Documents the experiences of two Guatemalan brothers who are held in a stash-house in South Texas and then placed in the deportation process. Highlights a variety of Texas sources from the San Juan, Texas police chief to the executive director of RAICES, a nonprofit providing civil legal aid to immigrant families.
See:http://www.newyorker.com/ ...

"Texas pipelines to have $374-billion economic impact through 2024." By Marshall Watson and Bradley Ewing. Oil and Gas Journal, April 6, 2014, pp. 90-97
Reviews findings from a study conducted by authors that indicate Texas pipelines from 2014 through 2024 will provide an cumulative economic impact of $374-billion, 171,000 jobs per year, and if efficient and effective transportation is provided, the economic gain could continue after 2024.

"Dawn of the dog." By David Grimm. Science, April 17, 2015, pp. 274-279
Explores current research related to when and how dogs became domesticated. Includes sidebar article about the wolf, a predecessor to domestic dogs.

"Dogs hijack the human bonding pathway." By Evan L. MacLean and Brian Hare. Science, April 17, 2015, pp. 280-281
Examines factors that facilitate strong social connections between dogs and humans.

"U.S. agencies fall in line on public access." By Jocelyn Kaiser. Science, April 10, 2015, p. 167
Discusses the National Science Foundation's move to provide the public free access to full-text research papers.

"The U.S.–Mexico border wall and the case for 'environmental rights'." By David Fisher. Texas International Law Journal, Volume 50, Number 1, 2015, pp. 145-168
Explores environmental rights in the context of the construction of fencing along the United States' southwest border after passage of the Secure Fence Act of 2006. Explains environmental rights as a formulation of existing human rights within the context of environmental protection and looks at both procedural and substantive facets.
See:http://www.tilj.org/conte ...

"Presidential power players: Texas lawyers shine in super-PAC roles for 2016 election." By Miriam Rozen. Texas Lawyer, April 20, 2015, pp. 1, 20
Discusses the role of super-PACs in presidential primaries. Notes that Texas ranks as one of the top states for presidential contenders to tap donors.

"Unusual venue rule in public integrity unit bill." By Angela Morris. Texas Lawyer, April 27, 2015, p. 11
Provides an overview of HB1690, 84th Legislature, R.S., which changes the venue for prosecution of state official misconduct cases from Travis County to the official's hometown county. Includes comments by Representatives Phil King, David Simpson, and Terry Canales.