Respondents were asked: "As you may know, the Texas Legislature has been debating whether to address the state's budget shortfall by tapping into the Rainy Day Fund, which contains money that the state has set aside for emergency uses. Some people say that state should use some or all of the money in the Rainy Day Fund for the next two-year budget period in order to avoid potentially devastating cuts in spending. Other people say that the current budget deficit does not count as an emergency, and that using money from the Rainy Day Fund will eventually cause state government to grow in size. What is your opinion on whether to spend money in the Rainy Day fund for the next two-year budget period?" Measurement of Party ID for this figure is based on two questions. First, respondents were asked whether they consider themselves to be a Democrats, Republicans, independents, other, or not sure. Those who responded that they are independents or "other" were then asked if they lean toward either the Democrats or Republicans. If they indicated that they lean toward one party or the other, they are considered Democrats or Republicans for the purposes of this figure. Only "pure" independents or members of a third party who indicate that they have no preference for Democrats vis-a-vis Republicans are considered independents. Respondents who answered that they are "not sure" for either of the two aforementioned questions are not incorporated into this figure.

Respondents were asked: "As you may know, the Texas Legislature has been debating whether to address the state's budget shortfall by tapping into the Rainy Day Fund, which contains money that the state has set aside for emergency uses. Some people say that state should use some or all of the money in the Rainy Day Fund for the next two-year budget period in order to avoid potentially devastating cuts in spending. Other people say that the current budget deficit does not count as an emergency, and that using money from the Rainy Day Fund will eventually cause state government to grow in size. What is your opinion on whether to spend money in the Rainy Day fund for the next two-year budget period?" Party identification is calculated according to the PID7 variable, a seven point scale of party identification.

Respondents were asked: "As you may know, the Texas Legislature has been debating whether to address the state's budget shortfall by tapping into the Rainy Day Fund, which contains money that the state has set aside for emergency uses. Some people say that state should use some or all of the money in the Rainy Day Fund for the next two-year budget period in order to avoid potentially devastating cuts in spending. Other people say that the current budget deficit does not count as an emergency, and that using money from the Rainy Day Fund will eventually cause state government to grow in size. What is your opinion on whether to spend money in the Rainy Day fund for the next two-year budget period?" The ideology measure is based on respondent self-placement in response to the following question: "On a scale from 1 to 7, where 1 is extremely liberal, 7 is extremely conservative, and 4 is exactly in the middle, where would you place yourself?" The placements are further classified such that 1 is extremely liberal, 2 is very liberal, 3 is somewhat liberal, 4 is moderate, 5 is somewhat conservative, 6 is very conservative, and 7 is extremely conservative.

Respondents were asked: "As you may know, the Texas Legislature has been debating whether to address the state's budget shortfall by tapping into the Rainy Day Fund, which contains money that the state has set aside for emergency uses. Some people say that state should use some or all of the money in the Rainy Day Fund for the next two-year budget period in order to avoid potentially devastating cuts in spending. Other people say that the current budget deficit does not count as an emergency, and that using money from the Rainy Day Fund will eventually cause state government to grow in size. What is your opinion on whether to spend money in the Rainy Day fund for the next two-year budget period?" Tea Party identification is based on the following question, also asked in the survey: "Suppose the Tea Party movement organized itself as a political party. When thinking about the next election for Congress, would you vote for the Republican candidate from your district, the Democratic candidate from your district, or the Tea Party candidate from your district?" Those who responded "Republican candidate" are considered Republicans (non-Tea Party movement) and those who responded "Tea Party candidate" are considered Tea Party Republicans.

Respondents were asked: "As you may know, the Texas Legislature has been debating whether to address the state's budget shortfall by tapping into the Rainy Day Fund, which contains money that the state has set aside for emergency uses. Some people say that state should use some or all of the money in the Rainy Day Fund for the next two-year budget period in order to avoid potentially devastating cuts in spending. Other people say that the current budget deficit does not count as an emergency, and that using money from the Rainy Day Fund will eventually cause state government to grow in size. What is your opinion on whether to spend money in the Rainy Day fund for the next two-year budget period?" Gender is calculated according to the GENDER variable.

Respondents were asked: "As you may know, the Texas Legislature has been debating whether to address the state's budget shortfall by tapping into the Rainy Day Fund, which contains money that the state has set aside for emergency uses. Some people say that state should use some or all of the money in the Rainy Day Fund for the next two-year budget period in order to avoid potentially devastating cuts in spending. Other people say that the current budget deficit does not count as an emergency, and that using money from the Rainy Day Fund will eventually cause state government to grow in size. What is your opinion on whether to spend money in the Rainy Day fund for the next two-year budget period?" Education is calculated according to the EDUC variable.