Matt Stiles

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

Interactive: Hotze/CRT Donations: 2009-10

By Matt Stiles April 5, 2011

This bubble chart represents contributions made by Steve Hotze and his political action committee, <a href="http://www.conservativerepublicansoftexas.com/">Conservative Republicans of Texas</a>. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Many Eyes
Doctor Legislation Raises Safety Concerns, Questions of Motive

By Emily Ramshaw and Matt Stiles April 5, 2011

Are Texas doctors hamstrung by unfounded complaints? Reps. Bill Zedler and Fred Brown think so. But the bills they've filed to address the issue are largely opposed by the state's biggest physician organization. Full Story
Texas’ Clout in Congress Rises Along With GOP

By Matt Stiles April 3, 2011

Texas has the largest GOP delegation in Congress, and those members have high seniority, spots on key committees and seats at the leadership table — evidence, observers say, of the state’s sway inside the Capitol. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Interactive Map: U.S. House Seniority

By Matt Stiles and Ryan Murphy April 2, 2011

These maps visualize the number of years members of the U.S. House of Representatives have served, with darker shades representing longer seniority. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Interactive: Briscoe Energy Speech: 1973

By Matt Stiles April 1, 2011

This interactive document is a speech by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr., in November 1973, calls for strict energy conservation measures in the wake of the Arab oil embargo. Navigate through the highlights by selecting links in the right sidebar. Full Story

Credit: Prints and Photographs Collection, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Interactive: Texas House Budget Amendments: 82nd Legislature

By Matt Stiles March 31, 2011

Members of the Texas House filed more than 400 pages of amendments in advance of a debate April 1 on the state's biennial budget, known around the Capitol as House Bill 1. Use this interactive to explore those documents. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Several Texas Counties Among Most Diverse

By Matt Stiles March 28, 2011

Fort Bend County, home of Sugar Land, is almost as diverse as the Bronx in New York. Several other Texas counties rank high on the list. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles
On the Records: Mapping U.S. Population Growth by County

By Matt Stiles March 25, 2011

The U.S. Census Bureau released its final batch of state-by-state redistricting data this week, making it possible to visualize population growth by race and Hispanic origin across the country. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles
Data App: Lobbying Directory Details Spending, Clients

By Matt Stiles and Christopher Chang March 15, 2011

Lobbyists spent more than $1.2 million in the first two months of 2011 trying to influence lawmakers and state officials, according to the latest ethics filings, which are now accessible in our new lobbying data application. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Marjorie Cotera/Todd Wiseman
News App: Texas Lobbyist Spending, Clients

By Matt Stiles March 15, 2011

How much are lobbyist spending to influence public policy in Texas. Use our new lobbyist directory, a news application detailing all lobbyists’ clients, contact information and spending since 2009. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Marjorie Cotera/Todd Wiseman