How can Texas reduce expenditures for the new public school employee health program while protecting and improving benefits? The Texas 78th Legislature faces this key question as members confront a $9.9 billion revenue shortfall. The health care program is targeted for legislative cuts. Funded for its first year only, the program was financed by revenues taken from a “one time” source; additional blows were delivered by a sagging state economy and rising insurance costs, estimated in the range of $2.5 billion for the 2004-2005 fiscal year.
Election Integrity
Ban Foreign Funding in Ballot Propositions
Despite federal laws prohibiting foreign funding of candidate elections, foreign individuals and entities are still able to fund campaigns related to state and local ballot initiatives in multiple jurisdictions, creating a loophole that hostile foreign actors can exploit to influence American elections. Key points: Federal law prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidate campaigns or...
April 6, 2026