Our interactive breakdown of campaign finance reports from the second half of 2013 includes the totals for candidates, expenditures, loans and cash on hand at the end of the year, and offers several ways to look at the details.
Travis Swicegood
Travis Swicegood was the first News Apps and Data Editor, where he worked from 2010 to 2014. He previously spent nearly a decade and a half in the technology industry with a focus on the web. Originally from El Paso, he has worked for startups targeting everything from electronic medical records to customer relationship management to social networks. He came to the Tribune after a year and a half of running his own consulting company that focused on helping not-for-profits and political activists use technology to expand their reach. Before joining the Tribune, he led the technology department as Director of Technology and spearheaded development efforts on the Tribune's Armstrong Project, a Knight Foundation-funded project to create an open source news platform.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Troubled Waters: The State of Texas Rivers
Every Texas river is threatened by nearly unprecedented drought and the effects of climate change. Take a look back at our series exploring the history, health and future of some of Texas’ most important and legendary rivers.
Posted inState Government
Interactive Map: Results of the Constitutional Amendment Election
Texans approved nine amendments to the state Constitution on Tuesday. Use our map to see how they voted. The results and the map will be constantly updated with election returns.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Troubled Waters: The State of Texas Rivers
In the wake of nearly unprecedented drought, environmental advocates fear that state leaders are prioritizing thirsty cities over ecology. Our Troubled Waters series explores the history, health and future of some of the state’s most important waterways.
Posted inState Government
News App: Salary Database Updated
In honor of Labor Day, we’ve updated more than 40 different entities in our employee payroll database, including the Texas A&M University System, the University of Houston System and Austin ISD. The updates also include two new school districts.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice
News App: Prisoner Database Updated
The Texas Tribune’s prison inmates database, containing more than 147,000 offenders who have committed roughly 440,000 combined crimes, is now updated with the latest data available from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Posted inPolitics
News App: Updated Campaign Finance Database
We’ve updated our Texas Campaign Finance Database with the most recent figures from the Texas Ethics Commission. Use it to find out how much money candidates are raising and spending heading into the 2014 campaign season.
Posted inPublic Education
How Would You Fare on the 2013 STAAR Tests?
We’re making available for download all of the 2013 STAAR exams for grades three through eight, along with their answer keys, courtesy of the Texas Education Agency.
Posted inState Government
Interactive: Third Called Session Bill Tracker
The 83rd Legislature’s third special session is underway, and Gov. Rick Perry has only added transportation funding to the call. But that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from filing bills on other subjects. You can keep tabs on all of them with our bill tracker.
Posted inState Government
31 Days, 31 Ways: How the 83rd Legislature Will Affect Texans’ Lives
Every day this month, the Tribune will reveal a new way that the laws and budget lawmakers passed in the 83rd legislative session will affect Texans’ lives come Sept. 1. See the latest stories published or use our interactive calendar for an overview.