Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry at the state Capitol on Dec. 19, 2012.

Your evening reading: Perry comes out against part of budget deal but stays quiet on special session; insurance commissioner announces resignation; Cruz invited to speak in New Hampshire

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at a charter school rally.

The legislative session adjourns Monday, but if Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst gets his way, lawmakers may have to stick around.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

The crowded House floor during debate on SB 1 April 4, 2013.

Your evening reading: fight breaks out in House over attempt to expand gun rights for lawmakers; Railroad Commission in peril; Democrat takes issue with electric-bill refunds in budget deal

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

The chamber of the Texas House

End-of-session tension abated on Wednesday as lawmakers, after days of uncertainty, broke through a budget stalemate.

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman

Your evening reading: committee dinner, paid for by lobby, racked up $22,000 tab; budget breakthrough in sight; Perry meets with health care hecklers

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

More budget drama — including a delayed vote — has pushed the Legislature dangerously close to the brink of a special session.

Enlarge photo by: Caleb Bryant Miller

The Texas Capitol in the twilight of the 82nd legislative session.

Your evening reading: major deadline looms for budget deal; Dewhurst urges action on abortion legislation; Houston Tea Party group sues IRS over targeting

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

State Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington, votes 'aye' to table certain instructions to conferees on HB1 budget bill on May 6, 2011.

The public doesn't closely follow legislative debates over the budget, but sometimes those budget debates line up pretty accurately with public opinion.

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For this week's nonscientic survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked for predictions about which proposals will survive the legislative session, which ones won't and about how top state officeholders will fare in the elections that follow.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Though a budget deal was struck last week, lawmakers aren't done arguing about it.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, moves away from the podium after moving to briefly postpone discussion on SB1 the budget bill on June 9, 2011.

Your evening reading: uncertainty lingers over budget deal as votes loom; dispute over innocence commission bill threatens to derail other legislation; UT regent nominees grilled at hearing

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry leaves the House chamber after speaking and visiting with members on May 13, 2013.

With a budget deal struck, the spotlight now shifts to Gov. Rick Perry.