Texas endured the worst drought in recorded state history in 2011, and it has yet to bounce back. Using data from the Texas Water Development Board's reservoir status tracker, our auto-updating map visualizes the current state of Texas reservoirs.

Hotter days are back, and cities across Texas are again at risk of running out of water. Barnhart, a small community in West Texas, already ran out of water just this month. Use our redesigned interactive to track water systems at risk.

Lawmakers failed during the regular session to approve money for construction at public universities, but some are hoping the special session will provide a second chance at the money. Use this interactive to see what's at stake.

The current special session is the 10th in Gov. Rick Perry's gubernatorial tenure. Take a look at our visualization to see all the special sessions called since 1971, the subjects lawmakers tackled and how Perry compares to previous governors. 

As the longest-serving Texas governor, Rick Perry has vetoed his share of bills — 275 of them since taking office in December 2000. Use our interactive to see the history of Perry's veto power.

Lawmakers are deciding whether to ratify political maps drawn by federal judges for the 2012 elections and to use those maps in 2014. Based on the last two elections, we've calculated the political environment in each district.

The budget that awaits the final approval of the 83rd Legislature — and Gov. Rick Perry — adds about $3.4 billion back to public schools from the $5.4 billion lawmakers cut in 2011. Explore how your school district fares under Senate Bill 1.

Texas lawmakers are poised to pass a two-year state budget that is $7 billion higher than the current one. Use this interactive to explore how state spending has grown since 2004. 

Whether they have a longstanding interest or are branching into new territory, some of the state's top political donors advocate for education issues. Use our interactive to track contributions to lawmakers who make decisions affecting Texas schools.

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.

UPDATED: Friday morning's clash between the House and Senate appears to be water under the bridge. Lawmakers in the upper chamber said it was a tussle over a local Houston matter — but that they're working to resolve it.

State lawmakers' personal financial statements for the 2012 calendar year were due April 30, but several lawmakers filed for extensions. As for the 115 lawmakers who did file, the Tribune has you covered. Use our Ethics Explorer to see what lawmakers disclosed in their most recent filings.

At the start of the legislative session, bills that would strengthen the state's charter school system, overhaul teaching requirements and address accountability for underperforming school districts were a top priority for many advocacy groups and some lawmakers. Use our interactive to track their progress.

Tax relief has become a key issue in the final weeks of the legislative session, and nearly all of the relief efforts are focused on the franchise tax paid by businesses. Use our interactive to track the status of those bills.

More than 110 facilities across Texas store ammonium nitrate in some form, according to state records. Use our interactive to see where in the facilities are located and how far they are from schools and hospitals.