Ryan Murphy
plays a role in developing the Tribune's collection of data interactives (with a focus on mapping), conducts data analysis and currently maintains and updates the government employee salary database. Ryan graduated in 2010 with a degree in multimedia journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as the web editor for The Daily Texan.
Recent Contributions
The 8-day reports — the final look at candidate campaign finance totals before Election Day — are in. We have compiled data for all statewide, State Board of Education, Texas Senate and Texas House candidates who filed electronically with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo illustration by: Emily Albracht
The oil and gas industry almost singlehandedly lifted Texas from the country’s last recession. But how long will the bonanza last? And will an eventual drop in oil prices decimate local economies? This story is part of our Shale Life project.
Full Story
Enlarge
graphic by: Ryan Murphy / Todd Wiseman
The deadline for 30-day campaign finance reports ahead of the Nov. 4 election has passed. Use this tool to search data for all statewide, State Board of Education, state Senate and state House candidates who filed electronically with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Dennis Bartalon
Ahead of the final month leading up to the November elections and the pending 30-day filing deadlines, we've updated our campaign finance database to include all data up to the last filing deadline in July. The app is current up to June 30, 2014.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Stephen Spillman / Cooper Neill
Take a look back at the highlights from the last three decades of Texas gubernatorial debates.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Michael Bludworth
Harris and Dallas counties have the dubious honor of claiming the most spots in the state's latest list of the 100 most congested roadways in Texas. Here's a look at the list, compiled by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
Full Story
Texas counties, cities and school districts have more than $100 billion in debt that's backed by a pledge of local property taxes. Use our Local Debt Explorer to find out how much tax-supported debt is held in your community.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo illustration by: Anneke Paterson / Todd Wiseman
Our new Government Salaries Explorer reimagines our flagship salary database app. Use the explorer to review the compensation of hundreds of thousands of state and municipal employees in Texas. We will update and expand this database periodically.
Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry has issued at least 221 pardon proclamations since taking office in December 2000. We've made our existing searchable database easier to navigate by name, issuance year, crime type and/or pardon type.
Full Story
Our new Hospitals Explorer helps you learn more about the quality of care available at 377 Texas hospitals that reported Medicare data. See how hospitals in your area compare with one another and with state and national standards.
Full Story
Cities and school districts across Texas are asking voters to approve more than $6.6 billion in local debt in next month's bond elections.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich / Nina Chantrasmi
A Tribune investigation of contributions to TexasOne, Gov. Rick Perry's chief Texas marketing tool, found that representatives from some of the largest contributors are often prolific donors to Perry's campaigns. Explore the connections.
Full Story
Enlarge
photo by: Todd Wiseman / Ryan Murphy / Matt Blank
Take a look at how Texas' campaign finance system compares to the federal campaign finance system, and see how political contribution laws differ from state to state.
Full Story
We pulled the county-by-county vote totals for each statewide candidate headed to a runoff in their primary and analyzed what parts of the state got them there. Use our interactive to compare each candidate's performance.
Full Story