The primary purpose of the passage is to

Paytonjd on January 13 at 07:39PM

I also do not understand this

Emil-Kunkin on January 15 at 02:40AM

The author isn't saying that the continuity theory is directionally correct but needs more information, the author is directly disputing it. We see this most clearly in the final sentence of the passage, but the author seems to clearly think the changes in federal law had a major impact. This is directly opposed to the theory.