Past Contributions

• The Polling Center: Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank July 3, 2013

  A trend of increasing support for some sort of legal recognition of same-sex relationships in both Texas and the country presents Republican politicians with a familiar dilemma. Full Story 

• Polling Center: How Public Opinion Fueled Abortion Fight

  By Joshua Blank and Jim Henson July 1, 2013

  While much attention has been paid to the political conflict on the floor of the Texas Senate last week, the subtleties of public opinion on abortion in Texas framed the clash in the upper chamber. Full Story 

• The Polling Center: Does Texas Still Burn for Perry?

  By Joshua Blank and Jim Henson June 27, 2013

  While Gov. Rick Perry’s standing among Texans remains stronger than most of his “oops”-focused critics recognize, he can no longer count on the level of support he enjoyed among the state's conservatives four years ago. Full Story 

• Polling Center: Budget Endgames and Public Opinion

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank May 21, 2013

  The public doesn't closely follow legislative debates over the budget, but sometimes those budget debates line up pretty accurately with public opinion. Full Story 

• The Polling Center: Texans’ Dueling Attitudes About Guns

  By Joshua Blank and Jim Henson May 16, 2013

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

• The Polling Center: Texas' Date With Immigration Reform

  By Joshua Blank and Jim Henson May 8, 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. Full Story 

• The Polling Center: Planned Parenthood and the Women’s Health “Equation”

  By Joshua Blank and Jim Henson May 3, 2013

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

• The Polling Center: Public Opinion Creates Rough Sailing for Water Policy

  By Jim Henson April 30, 2013

  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. Full Story 

• The Polling Center: A Seat for the Tea Party

  By Joshua Blank and Jim Henson April 19, 2013

  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. Full Story 

• The Polling Center: Cruz Registers Tea Party Embrace of Gun Rights

  By Joshua Blank and Jim Henson April 11, 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. Full Story