Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman

Texas received an "A" in government transparency from the nonprofit Sunlight Foundation. Texas picked up the most points for providing an easy way to collect data on filed bills during legislative sessions via a data feed.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

The state auditor's office on Friday released a report that breaks down the salaries of state agency executives in an effort to assess the current salary landscape at the executive level and identify pay disparities. Here's what it found.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich

All those campaign ads weren't cheap. The Republican race to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has drawn more than $45 million in spending. Outside groups contributed heavily to the final tally.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich / Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Ryan Murphy

We've added personal finance statements for statewide officeholders into our directory of elected officials. This includes disclosures for Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Comptroller Susan Combs and Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Enlarge graphic by: Becca Aaronson / Todd Wiseman

According to demographic data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, 55.2 percent of Texas' 2011 population was of a race other than non-Hispanic white, making it one of five "minority-majority" states in the nation.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Walt Stoneburner / Christiana Care

Expanding the role of advanced practice nurses in the next legislative session would add nearly 100,000 permanent jobs to the current Texas economy, according to a new report by economist Ray Perryman. 

Enlarge photo by: Callie Richmond

Texas resident Shantell Keller cannot afford insurance and does not qualify for Medicaid. For years, she has avoided seeking treatment for a variety of mounting health problems. Thanks to reduced rates at the federally qualified health service provider Lone Star Circle of Health in Georgetown, she is now able to afford co-payments for occasional visits to a family practice clinic.

The federal government awarded Texas $61 million today for new and improved community health centers across the state.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Texas "bundlers" have raised at least $5.7 million for President Obama's re-election effort, according to the list released by the campaign. And 13 new bundlers joined during the first quarter of this year, including nine from Houston.

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman

Redistricting has cost Texas taxpayers nearly $1.5 million in legal expenses so far — a total that could rise as more invoices are filed. Use our interactive to compare spending by category or to see the number of hours billed for legal work.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

The Super PAC Restore Our Future, which supports Mitt Romney, received $3 million from Houston homebuilder Bob Perry and $100,000 from Contran Corporation CEO Harold Simmons of Dallas in February.

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

President Obama has released an update to his list of volunteer fundraisers, also known as "bundlers," that raise money on his behalf. And Texas bundlers collected at least $3.4 million for Obama's 2012 campaign.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Republican Tom Leppert makes a point during the TPPF's U.S. Senate candidate debate in Austin on January 12, 2012.

Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert has released his tax returns for 2008 through 2010, following the lead of his fellow Republican U.S. Senate candidates. Leppert reported an adjusted gross income of $443,000 in 2010, along with $95,856 in total taxes.

Enlarge photo by: Gage Skidmore

Hot on the heels of his fellow GOP Senate candidates Craig James and David Dewhurst releasing their tax returns, Ted Cruz has provided the Tribune with the last five years of his tax filings.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst

Following the lead of fellow Republican U.S. Senate candidate Craig James, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has released his tax returns from 2009 and 2010. James on Thursday urged his fellow candidates to release their returns from the last five years.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Former ESPN commentator and football player Craig James pauses during the U.S. Senate candidates debate sponsored by TPPF in Austin on January 12, 2012.

Craig James, the former sports commentator who is running to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, has released his tax returns from the last five years. Expect his opponents to follow suit.