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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Texas provides a looking-glass view of the national picture on the issue of guns — though with its own Texas flavor, of course. 

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

Large group for immigration reform, walks up Congress Ave. towards the Texas Capitol on February 22nd, 2013

As many GOP leaders argue that passing comprehensive immigration reform is in the GOP’s best interest, some data suggests that the long-term interest of party strategists and the short-term self-interest of members of Congress are not necessarily in sync.

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Preparations for Planned Parenthood rally at Texas Capitol on March 7th, 2013

The marginalization of Planned Parenthood probably makes the discussion of women’s health care less contentious — among Republicans, anyway.

Enlarge graphic by: Todd Wiseman / Guillermo Esteves

The rough seas that sank the Texas House's attempt to fund the state water plan on Monday night with a $2 billion draw on the Rainy Day Fund highlighted the limits of consensus on both how to pay for water development and whether it's a top priority. 

Enlarge photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman

Sentiment for the Tea Party remains strong within the GOP, but what started as an insurgent group is becoming just another — albeit important — part of the Republican Party in Texas.

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Chris Perkins is a partner at the Republican polling firm Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research.

A couple of Democrats won election in 2012 talking about education, but that doesn't mean the issue was a silver bullet for the minority party. Lots of others talked about it and lost, and the two who won were victorious in districts favorable to them.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

An immigration reform rally at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 22, 2013.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio hit the Sunday talk shows to discuss an immigration reform plan that he said would not provide amnesty. In Texas, a strong majority of Texans oppose a comprehensive overhaul, with the "pathway to citizenship" a likely stumbling block.

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Polls might show a low interest in public education cuts made by lawmakers in 2011, but some of the candidates who ran in 2012 found a very receptive electorate.

Enlarge photo by: Callie Richmond

Guns at McBride's Guns Inc. in Austin on Mar 26, 2013.

Attitudes about gun control proposals among Texas Republicans provide a foundation for understanding Sen. Ted Cruz’s resistance to the apparent compromise taking shape in the U.S. Senate.

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It's no shock that Texans tend to be more conservative when it comes to federal gun control measures. But Texans are also conservative in another, more literal sense when it comes to proposals seeking to reduce the requirements to carry a concealed handgun.

Enlarge photo by: Bob Daemmrich

State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, sits at his desk in the House Chamber on April 3, 2013. Pitts' HB 1 the Appropriations Bill will be heard on the House floor Thursday, April 4th.

So far, the Legislature has been writing a budget for a state in a center-right position on the political spectrum. As debate opens in the House, can the leadership hold off challenges, particularly from the right?

Enlarge photo by: Jeff Heimsath

Fourth and fifth grade students at the Austin Discovery School.

Polling over the last two years from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune suggests that education has not become more salient to Texas voters, nor have perceptions of school quality suffered significantly.

Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera

July 17th, 2012: President Obama speaks to crowd at the Austin Music Hall

Some voters will associate a particular policy with a particular individual, and they will probably transfer the opinion of the person to the issue at hand. President Obama's numbers in Texas show that any issue he supports is unlikely to gain much traction in the state.

Enlarge photo by: Spencer Selvidge

Brian Stephens, left, and Andy Miller with their son, Clark, on Jan. 21, 2013, in Austin.

While the country has been jogging toward its new position on gay marriage, polling numbers show Texans appear to have been moseying along in the same direction.