On the Records: A GOP Map Protects the GOP
A proposed map for redrawing Texas House district boundaries could help fortify the Republicans' majority in the lower chamber in 2012. Full Story
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Matt Stiles
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Matt Stiles covered government and politics for the Tribune, with a focus on data journalism, from 2009 to 2011. He oversaw and developed the Tribune’s library of web applications and interactive graphics. Previously, he was a government reporter at the Houston Chronicle. While there, he won the newspaper’s Jesse Award for service journalism and beat reporting and was its reporter of the year in 2007. Before joining the Chronicle, Stiles worked as a reporter for nearly four years at The Dallas Morning News.
Past Contributions
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Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles / Todd Wiseman -
Interactive: How Would You Close the State's Budget Gap?
Solving the state's 2012-13 budget woes is a hard job and perhaps the best way to show that is to let you decide for yourself how the $27 billion shortfall should be closed. Use our interactive budget shortfall app to see what you're willing to give up to close the gap. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Chris Cheng / Ben Hasson / Todd Wiseman -
Interactive: Annotated Forensic Commission Report
The Texas Forensic Science Commission is meeting to discuss a draft report on the controversial arson convictions and death sentences of Cameron Todd Willingham and Ernest Ray Willis. Read and search the report here. Full Story
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![John Bradley, left, is the new chair of the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Cameron Todd Willingham, right, was executed for setting a house fire that killed his three daughters.]()
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Update: Peña's Proposed District a Toss-Up?
Last year, after the Republicans won large majorities in the Texas House, state Rep. Aaron Peña of Edinburg left the Democrats to join the GOP. Is he now being rewarded with a district that a Republican can maintain? Check out these maps. Full Story
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![A proposal by Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton.]()
Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles -
First House Redistricting Maps Presented
The first House redistricting maps are out, creating one new Latino district, keeping the current number of black opportunity districts and pairing 16 incumbents in districts where they would face one of their colleagues in the 2012 elections. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
On the Records: Mapping Forest Fires
Since 2009, the Texas Forest Service has helped douse more than 2,600 wildfires like those scorching West Texas. We mapped the area most effected by the blazes, which burned nearly a half-million acres and destroyed 300 homes. Full Story
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![Fires worked by the Texas Forest Service: 2009-11.]()
Credit: Matt Stiles -
On the Records: Mapping Highway Speeds by State
The Texas House today passed a bill allowing Texas Department of Transportation to study whether to increase the speed limit on certain highways to 85 miles per hour. See how the state compares with this interactive map. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles -
Interactive: U.S. Speed Limits by State
The Texas House today passed a bill allowing TxDOT to increase the speed limit on certain highways to 85 miles per hour. These interactive maps visualize the vehicle speed limits set by states on rural interstates, with darker shades representing higher speeds. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles -
Senate OKs Bill to Promote Texas Data Transparency
Data enthusiasts may be cringing at proposed federal cuts to data transparency websites, but the Texas Senate passed a bill today that would promote state transparency by requiring agencies to post high-value data sets online. Full Story
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Credit: Jacqueline Mermea -
Interactive: State Lawyer's Facebook Posts
She’s volunteered at Emancipet, an Austin animal rescue group. Her Facebook page is populated with posts from animal rights groups. And she’s an attorney for the state’s regulating agency who is helping to draft a bill that dog breeders say is designed to kill their industry. Full Story
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Credit: Nicholas Wang