Reeve, Aman, Jay and Ben talk about the final stages of lawmakers' efforts to put together a budget deal, state Sen. John Carona's day job and the legislative casualties of tension between the Senate and the House.

The president of Emily's List on the state's changing demographics, how those changes will help put candidates like state Sen. Wendy Davis, in statewide office and why women will help turn Texas blue.  

While members of the Legislature are eyeing Memorial Day and Sine Die with increasing anticipation, a growing field of candidates looking toward 2014 has emerged, including four — so far – in Austin's House District 50, an open seat.

Texas is showing how unique it is when it comes to matters of immigration. Statistics say it has more undocumented immigrants in detention centers than any other state. And organizers of a virtual march for immigration reform say the state is the perfect spot to host related events.

From protecting endangered lizards to changing industry standards on fracking, energy and environmental groups have many competing interests in Texas. Use this interactive to track campaign contributions by some of the most influential such groups and donors.

The next four days will probably be the most critical period in determining the fate of the session's major education bills, which address standardized testing and curriculum requirements, as well as charter school expansion.

Sen. John Carona remains a political maverick in the Texas Legislature, willing to stand alone in policy fights and raise money for Democrats, despite conservative grassroots pressure to conform to stricter ideology.