What is the purpose of the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF)? a. The EST ensures public officials have stable pension funds. b. The ESF is designed to ensure that tuition at Texas public colleges and universities remains consistent with inflation. c. If there is a budget deficit, or a budget shortfall develops during a biennium, monies from the ESF can be used to fill these gaps if approved by a 3/5 vote of members of both houses of the legislature. d. Public officials such as police officers and firefighters who worked for smaller cities and towns that did not have their own pensions are eligible to gain pension benefits through the ESF