For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked for grades on the state's top leaders, on the House and Senate, about the heroes and goats of the session, and about how many legislators won't be back.

For this week’s nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about the clout of partisan groups in the Legislature, about the biggest issues left undone and about how we’ll remember this group of lawmakers.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about the likelihood of special sessions, the issues that might force them and whether there will be multiple such sessions.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics in Texas, we asked about prosecutors being prosecuted, flawed prosecutions and whether and when to remind defendants of their rights. 

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about one of the thorniest issues at the intersection of politics and government: redistricting.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about standardized tests in schools, about graduation requirements and about whether the tests should be given in private schools that get state money.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about term limits for statewide officials, for legislators and members of Congress, and whether officeholders should receive lifetime pensions for 10-12 years of service.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about exemptions from school property taxes and about the political future of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about the state's gun laws, school choice, the governor's "fetal pain" bill, and about whether Texas election laws still need federal oversight.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about which civic problems are most important in the country and the state, how things are going and about Rick Perry.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked for the legislative odds on some of the ideas in Gov. Rick Perry's State of the State speech. According to the insiders, he had some winners and some losers.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about federal health care and the state, about abortion legislation touted by the governor and about state money for Planned Parenthood.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked questions about the budget, about how lawmakers will spend the money they've got, the chances for a business tax, and the outlook for other fiscal proposals.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we returned to the subject of gun laws, asking the same set of questions posed after July's theater shooting in Colorado. After Connecticut's schoolhouse shooting, the answers have changed. 

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in politics and government, we asked about the power of the three leaders in the Capitol, and a ranking of who's strongest and weakest among the statewide elected officials in Texas. 

Ask the Texas public a question, and then ask the insiders in Texas politics and government the same question. The gaps are huge.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders in government and politics, we asked about issues important to conservatives and to Hispanics, and about whether Texas Republicans have a good shot at a majority of Hispanic voters in the near future.

For this week's nonscientific survey of insiders from government and politics, we made temporary assignments in punditry, asking insiders to explain the elections, whether the governor is done and how legislative leaders' clout was affected.