Former Teacher Chairman of Senate Education Committee has served since 1992
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas I will be making an official announcement today that I will not seek re-election to Texas Senate in District 8.
It has been my honor to serve the citizens of Senate District 8 for almost two decades and I am leaving public service knowing Ive given my best to make Texas better said State Senator Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) earlier today. Shapiro will complete her current term that runs through the beginning of January 2013.
It has been my honor to serve the State of Texas and all the citizens of the many communities I have represented for almost two decades Shapiro said.
It has been humbling to serve in the state legislature with so many outstanding men & women from all across our great state. I am excited about the future and will continue with my passion for improving our states public schools community colleges and universities said Shapiro who currently serves as Chairman of the Senates Education Committee.
In 1992 Shapiro made her first bid for the State Senate and won election to a rural-suburban district stretching from Collin County to Smith County in East Texas.
Over the past two decades her district was consolidated to the fast growth suburbs in Collin and north Dallas counties.
Her leadership in the Texas Senate is highlighted by her current posts as Chairman of the Senates Committee on Education as a member of the Senate Finance Committee as well as the Transportation & Homeland Security
Committees. She has also served as Senator Pro-Tem and as interim Texas Governor for a Day.
Among her many pieces of authored and passed landmark legislation are the nationally acclaimed Ashleys Laws that help protect children from sexualpredators the Texas Mobility Fund and the states Emerging Technology Fund.
A former teacher Senator Shapiros passion for educating all Texas students lead to passage of House Bill 1 in 2003 significantly lowering property taxes while providing more money for classroom excellence and teacher pay raises. She also authored and passed educational reforms calling for college and career readiness ending the TAKS test and replacing it with End-of-Course exams and school accountability standards.
My parents came to the United States in search of the American dream and I lived it. I entered public service as a Plano City Council member then Mayor. I entered the Texas Senate with a desire to promote opportunity and to make a difference in the lives of everyday people.
The time has come for me to pursue new opportunities. I am excited about the future and will continue with my passion for our great state Shapiro said.
Shapiro will complete her current term serving Senate District 8 which runs through the beginning of January 2013.
