José Luis Martínez

Houston court reporter @Law360 ⚡️ Dabbled with data at @TexasObserver,@Hou_Landing, @CTMirror, @WSJ, @TexasTribune and @APMreports

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

For @TexasObserver, I looked into how the Texas state government handles thousands of wage-theft complaints each year.

We analyzed data, reviewed government records and talked to attorneys to see wassup 👇

[Texas Observer @TexasObserver]

New from @dv7jose: Last year, state investigators faced the highest number of paycheck complaints in nine years and a prior internal audit noted that it typically took months just for complaints to be assigned to an investigator. https://t.co/rj0GSDBL6E

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

@Andy_Ed_Brown I appreciate it man 🙏🏼

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

we dubbed ourselves the “geek squad” 🤙🏼 truly no better data partners in crime. gonna miss them so much

we edited each other’s work, planned workshops together, ranted about life’s problems

it was a great time ngl

[Adriana Rezal @AdrianaRezal]

Building a tiny but mighty data team alongside talented data journalists @dv7jose and @MichaelJingZ 📊💪

https://t.co/9RmBRSgaBM

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

@Schwartz_Land @HannaHolthaus thank you Matt, for this and everything you’ve helped me w these past 8 months

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

@sarangatangg this is cool! check this out @govfresh

and thanks for reading our coverage sarang

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

check out this banger of an article hanna and i wrote

houston city employees spent millions in credit card purchases and there’s not much info on what what was purchased

[Hanna Holthaus @HannaHolthaus]

Today, @dv7jose and I explained how Houston city employees spent $28 million - but the data doesn’t explain what they bought. https://t.co/uOfwFM2EM4

[Clare Amari @Amari_Clare]

My last story as a @Hou_Landing public safety reporter published today.

@dv7jose and I found that @Pct4Constable deputies initiate dozens of high-speed chases every year over minor traffic violations -- resulting in at least 9 fatalities since 2021. 🧵
https://t.co/1Lb1NonoNN

[Juan Salinas II 🎱 @4nsmiley]

We need more stories like these, not the same old tired narratives. I yearn for more stories outside the norm.

You will be rewarded for thinking outside the box in every beat. Now I have the sudden urge to fix up my Buick Regal.

[Clare Amari @Amari_Clare]

NEW: Harris County DA Kim Ogg has spent more than $2.4 million in asset forfeiture funds on donations this year, almost all of it after she lost March's Democratic primary.

At least $150,000 in funds went to political allies in the bail bond industry. 🧵
https://t.co/n25NEyRnEQ

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

Data viz on Harris County voters we’ve made in the past few weeks @Hou_Landing

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

At the Harris County Election Day HQ.

My colleagues @Hou_Landing are keeping tabs various local races, so check out their coverage: https://t.co/pOIyrTMdu7

[Hanna Holthaus @HannaHolthaus]

The Houston city property tax rate will stay at 51 cents per $100 of assessed value, following City Council's vote just now. Find out how that affects you with @dv7jose's simple calculator via @Hou_Landing: https://t.co/iOp9ibqzuh

[Tim Carlin @timcarlin_]

With all eyes on the presidential race, @Hou_Landing decided to take a different approach with our 2024 election guide — a laser focus on down-ballot, local elections that will directly impact Harris County residents: https://t.co/fWKAW4e6OV

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

In my first few weeks @Hou_Landing, I've been digging into city/county finances.

There are billions of $ at play 🫰💸 Our goal is to see where it all comes from and where it goes.

Would love to connect with accountants/finance folks that can help with that. Email in bio📨

[Tim Carlin @timcarlin_]

My latest on the increasing Harris County tax rates & what they could mean for residents across the region.

It's a team up w/ my new colleagues (and former Poynter-Koch fellowship cohorts) @HannaHolthaus & @dv7jose (give them both a follow!)

https://t.co/VUClV5zPiQ

[Hanna Holthaus @HannaHolthaus]

Fun fact: this is also a Poynter class reunion with a triple byline with @dv7jose and @timcarlin_

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

The backstory behind my latest piece on wage theft

https://t.co/C6QI55CrII

[Shifra Dayak @shifradayak]

Happy Olympics opening ceremony day to all who celebrate!

In honor of #Paris2024 kicking off today, my latest for @CTMirror looks at Connecticut representation in past games and this year's games.

https://t.co/x1KmMvcQy0

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

@TaylorSixHL thank you! 🙏🏼

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

And one that shows the operatives' efforts over time.

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

We @CTMirror digitized over 4K absentee ballot applications from the 2023 Bridgeport primary to find out how involved political operatives were.

Turns out, they:
• Assisted 100s of apps.
• Started as early as June.
• Often took 30+ days to return them.
https://t.co/GKNxUuXjVI

[José Luis Martínez @dv7jose]

We also made maps and charts to help readers visualize the AB process and how it was influenced by the operatives.