Skip to main content

Matt Stiles

Matt Stiles’s staff photo

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

  • Search: Texas Legislature Bills

    By Matt Stiles

    With the 82nd Legislative Session in only its second week, Texas lawmakers have already filed more than 900 bills, potential laws addressing hundreds of subjects ranging from abortion and immigration to health care and wrongful imprisonment. This application aims to help Texans make sense of the legislative process, tracking proposed pieces of legislation as they move through the Texas House and Senate. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail
    Credit: Graphic by Matt Stiles

  • Data App: Capitol Maps

    By Matt Stiles and Christopher Chang

    As the 181 members of the Texas Legislature convene in Austin for the 82nd session, use our interactive and printable guide to find their offices and navigate the maze that is the Texas Capitol. Search by member name, or browse using the floor plan by clicking the tab for each floor in the Capitol and Capitol Extension. Full Story 

    The first floor of the Texas Capitol.
    Credit: Texas Tribune

  • On the Records: The Bills So Far

    By Matt Stiles

    A new word cloud visualizes the bills filed so far according to their Texas Legislative Council assigned categories. After education, which accounts for more than a quarter of the bills, the top categories are elections, criminal procedure, vehicles and traffic, and taxation. Full Story 

    House and Senate bills filed from 11/8-1/4.
    Credit: Graphic by Wordle.net

  • Data App: Ethics Fines

    By Matt Stiles

    The Texas Ethics Commission levied more than $140,000 in fines in 2010 following complaints that candidates, officeholders and others violated laws governing elections, lobbying or holding political office. Since 2004, $650,000 in fines have been issued. Use our database to search the records. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail
    Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman

  • Confidential Conflicts

    By Matt Stiles

    Lobbyists are required by law to notify their clients if they represent two or more groups with clashing agendas. They are also required to notify the Texas Ethics Commission. Scores of lobbyists have done so in recent legislative sessions. What is not required is for the public or elected representatives to be informed. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail
    Credit: Matt Stiles

  • Interactive: Texas Lobbyist Conflicts: 2005-2010

    By Matt Stiles

    State law requires lobbyists to disclose to the Texas Ethics Commission any conflicts of interests involving their clients. They also must notify their clients. The disclosure forms aren't public information, but the commission released a list of lobbyists and the total number of conflicts they've reported since 2005. Use this table to sort that list. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail
    Credit: Matt Stiles

  • Congressional Clout

    By Matt Stiles

    For the seventh consecutive decade, Texas will gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the decennial apportionment process, which means extra clout after the 2012 elections. With Republicans in control of redrawing the state's congressional districts — and adding the four new seats — they stand to benefit the most. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail
    Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman