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.

"The execution of Clayton Lockett." By Jeffrey E. Stern. Atlantic Monthly, June 2015, pp. 72-83
Describes the events surrounding the Oklahoma execution of Clayton Lockett to discuss the difficulty states are encountering in acquiring drugs used in lethal injections. Explains the only FDA approved plant making the drug sodium thiopental, was closed due to contamination, leaving states scrambling for other sources.

"The Texas approach to emergency treatment." By Lauren Etter. Bloomberg Businessweek, May 18, 2014, p. 30
Discusses the regulatory changes made in Texas in 2010 that allow licensed emergency rooms to open with no hospital affiliation.

"Years of cuts threaten to put college out of reach for more students." By Michael Mitchell and Michael Leachman. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, May 13, 2015, pp. 1-26 (Note Length)
Examines state budget cuts to higher education since the 2008 recession and the resulting strain on college affordability. Includes state-by-state tables showing percent change in state spending per student from 2008-2015. Notes Texas is one of five states that cut funding by more than $100 per student over the past year.
See:http://www.cbpp.org/sites ...

"Cracking the whip." By Alan K. Ota. CQ Weekly, April 20, 2015, pp. 6, 8
Profiles U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas, currently the Majority Whip, and speculates on a possible future role as Majority Leader, when current Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reaches the term limits for the office.

"The history of the Texas franchise tax." By Josh Haney and Bruce Wright. Fiscal Notes, May 2015, pp. 1, 3-6
Describes the evolution of the Texas business franchise tax, from when it was first levied in 1907 to the 1991 expansion, 2006 "margin" tax, and recent legal challenges by AllCat Claims Services and Nestle. Charts tax collections by source for fiscal 2014, showing the franchise tax is Texas' second-largest tax. Discusses impact of the 2006 reforms on the state's industries.
See:http://comptroller.texas. ...

"Lotto money for Texas." By Victoria Wachino. Fiscal Notes, May 2015, pp. 7-10
Interviews Gary Grief, Executive Director of the Texas Lottery, about the success and challenges of the lottery, outsourcing of lottery functions, and Sunset review process. Compares sales of U.S. state lotteries in 2013, with Texas coming in fourth in ticket sales.
See:http://comptroller.texas. ...

"Cash loans: are predatory business loans the next credit crisis?" By Liz Farmer. Governing, May 2015, pp. 32-35
Looks at the growth in alternative sources of credit, microfinance, and payday lending since the recession. Highlights the problem of predatory small business loans and notes it has primarily affected minority-owned businesses thus far.
See:http://www.governing.com/ ...

"Smart jobs." By Mike Maciag. Governing, May 2015, pp. 54-55
Highlights a recent Brookings Institution study on advanced industries key to sustainable economic growth, including motor vehicle manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and medicine manufacturing, and oil and gas extraction. Identifies Houston/The Woodlands/Sugar Land as a high advanced industry area.
Report at: http://www.brookings.edu/ ...
See:http://www.governing.com/ ...

"Despite resources from the ACA, most states do little to help addiction treatment programs implement health care reform." By Christina Andrews, et al. Health Affairs, May 2015, pp. 828-835
Discusses the results of a survey of state agencies charged with overseeing addiction treatment programs. Explains the survey sought information related to how such agencies have assisted addiction treatment programs with implementing reforms under the Affordable Care Act.

"If rollbacks go forward, up to 14 million children could become ineligible for public or subsidized coverage by 2019." By Julie L. Hudson, Steven C. Hill, and Thomas M. Selden. Health Affairs, May 2015, pp. 864-870
Presents the findings of a study of what health insurance options would be available for low-income children if states lower Medicaid and CHIP eligibility thresholds to the minimum allowed by federal law after certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act expire in 2019.

"Pulling up the higher-ed ladder: myth and reality in the crisis of college affordability." By Robert Hiltonsmith. Internet Resource, May 5, 2015, pp. 1-15
Discusses the causes of increasing tuition costs by looking at public university revenue and spending data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Finds that declining state appropriations for higher education is the primary driver of rising tuition.
See:http://www.demos.org/site ...

"Hospital ratings: a guide for the perplexed." By Abigail Zuger. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), May 19, 2015, pp. 1911-1912
Explains what hospital ratings represent. Points out that recent changes to the ratings system, sponsored by US News & World Report, makes data available about five common clinical situations: hip replacement and knee replacement, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery bypass surgery.

"State tax incentives for the rehabilitation of historical properties." By Larry R. Garrison. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, June 2015, pp. 14-31
Charts state tax incentives for the rehabilitation of buildings with historical significance. Highlights income and property tax incentives, easements, and other incentives, including the Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program.

"The university partnership: a growing incentives tool in a changing landscape." By Thomas H. Brinkley and Geoffrey J. Troan. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, June 2015, pp. 6-13
Highlights the importance of workforce development in the U.S. economy. Describes how modern university partnerships can improve the link between school curriculum and workforce skills, and offers examples of research and development, simulation training, and customer partnerships.

"Q&A: is capital punishment nearing a 'tipping point'?" By Tony Mauro. National Law Journal & Legal Times, May 11, 2015, pp.13, 16
Interviews Robert Dunham, the executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center about the current state of capital punishment and whether lethal-injection failures, ineffective legal representation, and flaws in the administration of capital cases will influence the United States Supreme Court's views about capital punishment.

"To have and to hold: reproduction, marriage, and the Constitution." By Jill Lepore. New Yorker, May 25, 2015, pp. 34-39
Considers the past half century of legal reasoning regarding reproductive and gay rights by reviewing United States Supreme Court cases from Griswold v. Connecticut, finding a ban on contraception unconstitutional, to the pending Obergefell v. Hodges, seeking relief from state same-sex-marriage bans. Reviews arguments based on a right to privacy and those based on the Fourteenth Amendment and equality.
See:http://www.newyorker.com/ ...

"Where the river runs dry: the Colorado and America's water crisis." By David Owen. New Yorker, May 25, 2015, pp. 52-63
Profiles the Colorado River and reviews the history of its varied water allocation agreements that govern water use in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, and Mexico. Discusses the disappearance of groundwater, water-banking strategies , irrigation methods and the fact that conservation sometimes has negative effects.
See:http://www.newyorker.com/ ...

"Fueling an economic comeback." By Ken Silverstein. Public Utilities Fortnightly, May 2015, pp. 39, 49
Refers to a study that found nearly every U.S. manufacturer is expected to have 1 to 2 percent lower production costs due to the abundance of shale gas. Points out consumers are expected to see a savings of $725.00 a year. Includes findings from a second research group that forecasts production of natural gas liquids will increase 100% over current levels by 2020.

"The natural gas mystique." By Ken Silverstein. Public Utilities Fortnightly, May 2015, pp. 31-32
Explains how the shale gas boom is affecting coal production and use, the renewables wind and solar, emissions, and the American economy. Notes new drilling technology has contributed to an "energy revival" in the United States. Points out there is concern the new technology could lead to chemicals, used to extract natural gas, being released into public water supplies and an increase in earthquakes.

"Shale gas showering economy." By Ken Silverstein. Public Utilities Fortnightly, May 2015, pp. 35-36
Describes how steel and chemical industries in the United States have been affected by abundant and cheap natural gas. Points out these industries had experienced a significant decline in business due to cheaper resources and labor in other countries. Predicts that the abundance of natural gas is expected to lead to decades long continued dominance in the U.S. market. Explains the abundance of and inexpensive price of natural gas has led to more domestic and foreign companies setting up plants in the U.S., including in Texas. Includes side bar article "Double shot of natural gas."

"Enigmatic bird flu strain races across the U.S. Midwest." By Mara Hvistendahl. Science, May 15, 2015, pp. 741-742
Examines the outbreak of avian influenza in the Midwest where Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have declared states of emergency. Explains that the strain is currently not a threat to humans but has resulted in the deaths of over 30 million poultry.

"Newborn screening collides with privacy fears." By Jennifer Couzin-Frankel. Science, May 15, 2015, pp. 740-741
Explicates the new informed consent requirement of a federal law that affects the newborn screening program.

"Business lawyers prepare for open carry." By Angela Morris. Texas Lawyer, May 25, 2015, p. 11
Considers how employers will respond if HB910, 84th Legislature, R.S., relating to open carry, is enacted into law. Notes that business lawyers are divided about whether allowing open carry would expose a company to the risk of litigation if there is a shooting in the workplace.

"Constitutional amendment would overturn TxCCA case." By Angela Morris. Texas Lawyer, May 25, 2015, p. 12
Discusses SJR8, 84th Legislature, R.S., which proposes to restore a notice requirement that permits the attorney general to intervene in criminal cases that challenge the constitutionality of a Texas statute, a law struck down by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Ex Parte Lo. Includes comments by Senator Judith Zaffirini.
Related information at:http://www.search.txcourt ...

"Three nations, one gulf: United States, Mexico, and Cuba collaborate on marine life issues." By Melissa Gaskill. Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, June 2015, pp. 44-49
Discusses the formation of the Trinational Initiative for Marine Science and Conservation in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Caribbean, which brings together scientists from the United States, Cuba, and Mexico to discuss areas of collaboration in research and conservation efforts. Focuses on the communication and collaboration among the researchers, and includes information on projects that have already begun.