The U.S. Census Bureau collected 2010 population totals for Texas counties, breaking down the figures by race and Hispanic origin. The data will be used for redistricting of political districts during the 2011 session of the Texas Legislature. This interactive map displays those totals in shades, with darker colors representing higher rates of total population growth.

The Texas Ethics Commission now requires political candidates to document their political spending in specific categories — advertising, consulting, polling, etc. — allowing the public to better understand campaign-finance filings. This interactive bubble chart visualizes those spending categories by candidate, political party and election type in the second half of 2010.

How much did state-level candidates raise, spend and owe in the closing days of 2010 — and how much do they still have for future campaigns? Our interactive table lets you sort the totals by dollar amounts, election type, political party and candidate status.

With the 82nd Legislative Session in only its second week, Texas lawmakers have already filed more than 900 bills, potential laws addressing hundreds of subjects ranging from abortion and immigration to health care and wrongful imprisonment. This application aims to help Texans make sense of the legislative process, tracking proposed pieces of legislation as they move through the Texas House and Senate.