Testimony to the House Committee on Higher Education

Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

FACT SHEET: Understanding Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Taxpayer-funded lobbying (TFL) is a complex and unfortunate feature of state and local governance. While lobbying is typically associated with private interest groups attempting to influence government decisions, taxpayer-funded lobbying flips this model: it involves government entities themselves using public funds to influence legislative outcomes. The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s...

May 1, 2026

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

Local Government

Small Towns, Big Tax Increases

The city of Whitesboro ignited a firestorm recently when officials suggested adopting a tax rate that would have skyrocketed the average homeowner’s property tax bill by 61 percent. The initial public hearing to discuss the matter drew hordes of angry Whitesboro residents who voiced their discontent. So much so, in fact, that city councilmembers tabled...

September 17, 2025

Testimony to the House Committee on Higher Education

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Elizabeth Young

Elizabeth Young

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Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

Ban Foreign Funding in Ballot Propositions

Small Towns, Big Tax Increases