1. Taming Texas: How Law and Order Came to The Lone Star State By James L. Haley and Marilyn P. Duncan
Presents the state of Texas' court system and how it evolved through history. Examines the days before law and order came to Texas and how early Texans organized the courts. Outlines how the court system borrows from an eclectic array of European, Mexican, and Spanish influence. Explores various topics including slavery, women's rights, criminal and civil courts, civil rights, and an overview of our current court system in Texas.
Texas Supreme Court Historical Society, 2016. 131 pages.
347.764 H137T 2016


 

2. Issues Facing the 85th Texas Legislature
Presents issues that may be considered by the 85th Legislature. Focuses on a variety of broad categories and topics that arose during the interim session including border security, education, criminal justice, health and human services, state affairs, and transportation. Provides concise descriptions of the issues, giving historical context as needed.
Senate Research Center, 2017. 104 pages.
Online at: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/_assets/srcpub/85th_Issues_Facing.pdf
L1803.8 IS8L 2017


 

3. Topics for the 85th Legislature
Highlights prominent issues lawmakers may consider during the 85th Texas Legislature. Provides succinct summaries of a variety of topics including property taxes, Child Protective Services and foster care reform, abortion, school choice, school testing, college affordability, voter ID, water needs, and gun regulations.
House Research Organization, 2016. 16 pages.
Online at: http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/pdf/focus/topics85-1.pdf
L1801.9 ST94 85-1


 

4. Bill Ratliff: A Profile of Courage and Leadership in American Politics By Robert Edward Sterken Jr.
Highlights the factors that led former Senator and Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff to be known for his integrity and the philosophy that "nothing is politically right that is morally wrong." Considers his work on education, tort reform, and redistricting to show why he was called Obi-Wan Kenobi by his peers and named recipient of the 2005 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
Lexington Books, 2016. 218 pages.
328.73092 ST45B 2016


 

5. Metaphors Be With You: An A-To-Z Dictionary of History's Greatest Metaphorical Quotations By Dr. Mardy Grothe
Presents a compendium of metaphorical quotations representing “the very best things that have ever been said” about 250 topics of deep human interest. Organizes the quotations by topic rather than by author and uses QR Codes to link each of the topics covered in this book to its corresponding section of Dr. Mardy's Dictionary of Metaphorical Quotations, the world's largest online database of more than 25,000 metaphorical quotations organized into over 1,000 categories. Explains that no source information for the quotations is provided in the book, but detailed citations for the quotations - and much more - can be found in the online database.
Harper, 2016. 478 pages.
Online at: http://www.drmardy.com/dmdmq/
808.882 G915M 2016


 

6. Seeing Texas History: The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum By Victoria Ramirez, ed.
Illustrates Texas history by highlighting selected artifacts that have been displayed in special exhibitions at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Features full-color plates with brief explanatory captions. Spotlights pieces ranging from Stephen F. Austin's Spanish grammar book to the William B. Travis letter from the Alamo, from Bill Pickett's spurs to Stevie Ray Vaughan's guitar.
University of Texas Press, 2016. 134 pages.
976.4 B876S 2016