State Senator Florence Shapiro Announces Retirement
Austin, Texas - District 8 State Senator Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) announced today that she will not seek re-election in 2012. 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," said Shapiro. "I am excited about the future and will continue with my passion for improving our state's public schools, community colleges and universities."
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 distinguished leadership in the Texas Senate is highlighted by her current posts as Chairman of the Senate's Committee on Education, and as a member of the Senate's Finance and 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 Ashley's Laws that help protect children from sexual predators, the Texas Mobility Fund, and the state's Emerging Technology Fund.
A former teacher, Senator Shapiro's 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 parent's 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. It has been humbling to serve in the state legislature with so many outstanding men and women from all across our great state. I am leaving public service, knowing that I have given my best to hopefully make Texas better."
Stay Connected