Here's an interesting article on how budget cuts in child support are affecting state agencies in Texas. AUSTIN — Federal budget cuts could cripple Texas' efforts to collect child support payments, forcing the state to lay off at least 1,750 employees. Attorney General Greg Abbott informed legislative leaders Friday that if his office doesn't get more state funds next year, its child support division will be forced to lay off two-thirds of its employees. "Over half our offices serving families across the state could close," he said. Mr. Abbott's aides said child support collections would plunge by at least $2 billion, from $9 billion this year. "That is money that will not go to families," said Janece Rolfe, spokeswoman for the child support division, which has slightly more than 2,700 employees. The federal cuts were part of a deficit-reduction bill signed into law by President Bush last winter.