Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry speaking to reporters alongside House Speaker Joe Straus, center, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst during a post-session press conference at the Texas Capitol on May 30, 2011.

Your afternoon reading: Perry adds sanctuary cities to special-session agenda; House Democratic leader fined; the politics (or not) of the governor's prayer event

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, votes to table an amendment by Sen. Wendy Davis (not shown) on SB8 an education bill that gives school administrators added powers to lower teacher pay and establish furloughs. The bill tentatively passed, 18-12 on June 6, 2011.

Republicans warned Democrats they'd regret forcing a special session. On Monday, Democrats got another taste of that.

Enlarge graphic by: Matt Stiles, Jacob Villanueva

Data journalism guru Matt Stiles may have left the building but Ryan Murphy and Becca Aaronson will be keeping the tradition and spirit of @stiles alive by continuing to update the data blog On the Records and the @TribData Twitter account.

Enlarge photo by: Erika Aguilar

Ron Paul shaking hands after a speech on UT Austin campus in 2008.

Your afternoon reading: Ron Paul raises $1 million in anti-"RomneyCare" moneybomb; Kansas governor confirms attendance at Perry prayer event; education protests continue

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich / Vince Petaccio

If Gov. Rick Perry's gunning for conservatives ahead of a presidential run, he's not holding back.

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For the latest installment of our unscientific survey of political and policy insiders, we asked some questions about the special session, who benefits, how long it will last and whether a certain Fort Worth senator has helped or hurt her political future.

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Congrats, "acw": You're our QRANK:TT winner for May, with a score of 112,218 points. And now on to our June game, in which the fabulous prize you're competing for is...

Enlarge photo by: Todd Wiseman

Your afternoon reading: quick debate sought for congressional maps; school finance back in the Senate; smoking ban gets new life

Enlarge photo by: Erika Aguilar

Ron Paul shaking hands after a speech on UT Austin campus in 2008.

Having already beaten Democrats to a pulp this session, the Texas Legislature's mighty Republican majority may have just set its sights on a new, more unexpected target: Ron Paul.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, takes a look at redistricting maps at the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting on May 13, 2011.

Your afternoon reading: congressional map proposal to change, leader says; Cruz nets key endorsement for U.S. Senate; highlights from the 82nd legislative session

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Gov. Rick Perry answers a reporter's question about his presidential aspirations during a bill signing on May 27, 2011.

Hypothetically speaking, of course, what does a special session mean for Rick Perry's presidential hopes?

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Gov. Rick Perry ceremonially signed HB 274, which brings lawsuit reforms to Texas courts, including a loser pay system for frivolous lawsuits on May 30th,2011

Your afternoon reading: veto override eyed for Amazon bill; health care dominating special session legislation; bill targeting abortion-inducing drug filed

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Texas' three leaders (l to r), House Speaker Joe Straus, Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst appear at the Texas Capitol for their traditional post-session press conference on May 31, 2011.

A subdued first day of the special session disguised a brewing Republican show of legislative force.