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.

"Medicaid on the eve of expansion: a survey of state Medicaid officials on the Affordable Care Act." By Benjamin D. Sommers, et al. American Journal of Law & Medicine, Vol. 40, Nos. 2 & 3, 2014, pp. 253-279 (Note Length)
Examines the results of a survey of state Medicaid officials on the Medicaid expansion. Looks at the cost of the expansion, Medicaid patient access to care, and implementation challenges in those states that participated in the Medicaid expansion.

"Faceoff on voter IDs." By Jennifer Horne. Capitol Ideas, September/October 2014, pp. 18-19
Explores new laws in Texas and other states that impose new voter photo identification requirements. Discusses the legal landscape of voter ID after the 2013 United States Supreme Court ruling invalidating Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
See:http://www.csg.org/pubs/c ...
Related information at:http://www.supremecourt.g ...

"Show me the money." By Jennifer Ginn. Capitol Ideas, September/October 2014, pp. 26-29
Describes recent federal and state developments in campaign finance laws, including Hawaii's electronic disclosure system and online tool to analyze campaign donations and California's recent response to "dark money."
See:http://www.csg.org/pubs/c ...
Related information at:http://www.leginfo.ca.gov ...

"States make changes to get out the vote." By Mary Branham. Capitol Ideas, September/October 2014, pp. 12-15
Discusses state efforts in Colorado, Nebraska, and Massachusetts to improve voter access through expansion of voting by mail, same day or online voter registration, and early voting.
See:http://www.csg.org/pubs/c ...

"New federal policy for recording custodial interrogations." By Thomas P. Sullivan. Champion, June 2014, pp. 48-49
Discusses a new United States Department of Justice policy, issued May 12, 2014, and effective July 11, 2014, governing custodial interviews conducted by federal investigative agencies. Discusses situations in which video and electronic recordings are encouraged. Includes table of states that record interrogations statewide.
Related information at:http://s3.documentcloud.o ...

"How far north will North Texas grow?" By Nicholas Sakelaris. Dallas Business Journal, September 19, 2014, pp. 4-6
Reports that the Metroplex's expansion away from the core Dallas-Fort Worth area is raising questions about infrastructure and unchecked growth at a time when transportation funds are scarce and critics oppose additional toll roads. Estimates that Celina, 40 miles from downtown Dallas, could grow to 100,000 residents by 2030, becoming the Metroplex's northernmost border.

"Mega-sized and master-planned." By Candace Carlisle. Dallas Business Journal, September 12, 2014, pp. 4-7
Attributes the demand for housing and the current wave of home development mega-projects underway in North Texas to the surge of massive corporate relocations and expansions. Notes challenges that could stop development: lack of utilities and supporting infrastructure, land prices that have doubled in the last two years, and a limited supply of labor.

"Curbing climate change: the deepest cuts." Economist, September 20th-26th, 2014, pp. 21-23
Provides a global comparison of carbon-mitigation policies. Ranks twenty policies and courses of action according to which policies are having the greatest effect in reducing the atmosphere's stock of greenhouse gases.

"Obamacare: experimental medicine; Private health care: the problem-solvers." Economist, September 20th-26th, 2014, pp. 25-27
Explains how America's health care system — "a tangled mess of rules and a hotchpotch of public and private institutions" — is benefiting from Obamacare and the efforts of innovative private firms. Considers how health reformers can improve the health market.

"Austin school district tests new R&D model with novice teachers." By Sarah D. Sparks. Education Week, September 17, 2014, p. 6
Discusses Austin Independent School District's experiment with an "improvement science" model to test new protocols for supporting novice teachers. Notes Austin school officials want to continue using the model, developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which combines observation and feedback with brief surveys every six weeks to target challenges and improve teaching skills.

"Kindergarten: state policies a patchwork." By Christina A. Samuels. Education Week, September 17, 2014, pp. 1, 14-15
Reports that, despite the increasingly pivotal role of kindergarten, state laws vary widely in kindergarten requirements, including the length of the school day and whether participation is voluntary or mandatory. Argues this disparity is leaving a number of children unprepared for first grade. Notes parents are selecting full-day kindergarten by a wide margin — a reversal of enrollment patterns that is not reflected in state laws.

"Fueling the world: shale production lifts LPG exports." By Lauren Mulverhill. Internet Resource, September 16, 2014, pp. 1-6
Looks at the growth in Texas exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a byproduct of natural gas purification and oil refining, as a result of shale production and use of hydraulic fracturing.
See:https://www.comptroller.t ...

"Employer health benefits, 2014." Internet Resource, September 10, 2014, pp. 1-8
Summarizes findings from the 2014 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation on trends in employer-sponsored health coverage. Details premiums, enrollment, employee cost sharing, availability of coverage, retiree coverage, and wellness assessments and screenings.
See:http://files.kff.org/atta ...
Related information at:http://kff.org/health-cos ...

"The Affordable Care Act: a family-friendly policy." By Dean Baker and Helene Jorgensen. Issue Brief (Center for Economic and Policy Research), September 2014, pp. 1-5
Reports that the Affordable Care Act's alternatives to employer-provided health insurance has enabled many workers to choose voluntary part-time employment that is more suited to their family responsibilities.
See:http://www.cepr.net/docum ...

"Fixing the troubled mental health system." By Lloyd I. Sederer and Steven S. Sharfstein. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), September 24, 2014, pp. 1195-1196
Examines issues in the mental health system and suggests some solutions.

"Credits and incentives update." By Marvin Bayan. Journal of State Taxation, Fall 2014, pp. 9-10, 52-53
Explores a selection of state economic development funds and state success stories. Focuses on the Texas Enterprise Fund, Florida Quick Action Closing Fund, and Arizona Competes Fund.

"Risky business: the evolution of sales, use tax policy in the e-commerce era." By Brian Ertmer, Joe Eleniewski, and Eric Schaefer. Journal of State Taxation, Fall 2014, pp. 31-38
Describes the current state tax climate of e-commerce and sales and use tax collection requirements for online retailers.

"Why is electricity use no longer growing?" By Steven Nadel and Rachel Young. Public Utilities Fortnightly, September 2014, pp. 43-44, 46-48
Considers the reasons behind the decline in electricity use over the last 50 years, including energy efficient programs and policies, warmer weather, changes in the Gross Domestic Product, changes in electricity prices, and long-term trends. Concludes savings from energy efficient programs and policies appear to be the most important contributor to the decline. Considers three possible scenarios for future electricity use.

"Smartphones vs. taxi drivers." By Brian Doherty. Reason, November 2014, pp. 20-28
Discusses how "e-hailing" — ride services provided via smartphone — is affecting the taxi industry. Notes efforts by state and local governments to regulate e-hailers.

"Fraud fighter or ballot blocker?" By Wendy Underhill. State Legislatures, September 2014, pp. 26-27, 29
Reports that, despite fewer voter ID bills filed in state legislatures this year, the conflict surrounding the voter requirements is not over. Suggests there is likely to be an increase in legislative activity in 2015 because of court decisions, the 2016 presidential election, and technology.

"P3's as the future for US infrastructure investment." By Natalie Regoli, Brian Polley, and Kaitlyn Pennington-Hill. Texas Lawyer, September 22, 2014, p. 18
Points out several tools that enable private sector involvement in developing and replacing public infrastructure in Texas through public private partnerships known as PPPs or P3s: the Texas Public and Private Facilities and Infrastructure Act, the federal Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund, and the $2 billion allocation from the Rainy Day Fund for financing water infrastructure.
Related information at:http://www.statutes.legis ...
Related information at:http://www.tfc.state.tx.u ...
Related information at:http://www.whitehouse.gov ...

"Way cleared for contempt hearing against McCrum." By Angela Morris. Texas Lawyer, September 22, 2014, p. 6
Reports a per curiam opinion by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — which does not discuss the court's reason for its decision — will allow a contempt proceeding against criminal defense attorney Michael McCrum to move forward. Notes the contempt proceeding is not related to Mr. McCrum's role as special prosecutor in the felony case against Governor Rick Perry.
Related information at:http://www.lrl.state.tx.u ...

"Montgomery County's approach to veterans' court." By Mike Holley. Texas Prosecutor, September-October 2014, pp. 34-37, 39
Explains how Montgomery County prosecutors addressed one of the more challenging aspects of establishing its Veteran's Treatment Court — determining eligibility and suitability to participate in the program.
Related information at:http://www.montcopa.org/D ...

"Armed America." By Kate Pickert. Time, September 29, 2014, pp. 28-31
Examines why more people are carrying concealed weapons in the United States, noting there were 8 million active concealed weapon permits in 2011. Highlights recent state legislation and case law that have succeeded in reducing concealed carry restrictions. Reports the significant increase in women who carry concealed weapons has led to an increase in women-oriented concealed carry accessories, including purses with hidden gun pouches.

"The tragic risks of an American obsession." By Sean Gregory. Time, September 29, 2014, pp. 32-39
Examines risks of brain trauma injuries in high school football, noting concussion rates are 78 percent higher at the high school level than in college. Profiles a family whose son died as a result of a head injury during a high school football game. Discusses efforts to improve the safety of football and the challenges of implementation.