Shapiro campaigns in Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE — Republican state Sen. Florence Shapiro came to the Rio Grande Valley to campaign for U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's still-not-vacant seat.

Hutchison is expected to resign so she can run against Gov. Rick Perry in the 2010 Republican primary. If she resigns, the state would need to call a special election to fill her Senate seat in which all candidates would have a shot without having to win a primary first.  

Expected Republican candidates for Hutchison's coveted seat in the Senate include Shapiro, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Attorney General Greg Abbott. Democratic candidates include former state Comptroller John Sharp and Houston mayor Bill White, who made a campaign stop in the Valley on Monday.

Shapiro came to the heavily Democratic region with the backing of Democratic Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., who introduced her at a luncheon Friday.

"My platform will definitely be education, because it is the future of the state." Shapiro said. "With education, everything else will follow."

In a room filled with superintendents, board members and teachers, Lucio introduced the woman he called a relentless advocate for education.

"At the capitol, Shapiro's name is synonymous with education," Lucio said.

Shapiro said her and fellow legislators agreed to enforce higher quality and full-day pre-kindergarten programs. The foundation for a child's education is laid during this crucial year, Shapiro said.

A new "Accountability Bill" was also passed with the intent to promote "post-secondary readiness." Some high school graduates go to college while others go straight into the workforce. Shapiro said legislators have agreed that the public education system needs to stop its over-reliance on the TAKS test and get high school children ready for college or the work force, whichever path they choose to follow.

"What we need to realize in education today is that one size does not fit all," Shapiro said.

The 81st legislative session resulted in $20 million set aside for new science labs and $75 million for instructional facilities. Another $20 million was put into the popular Teach for America program, doubling the number of Teach for America teachers available to help students all across the Rio Grande Valley.

One issue made the educators present happy: an $800 raise.

Shapiro also announced that $160 million was put into the Texas Federal Grant program, making it possible for approximately 35,000 more students to attend college.

Alexandria N. Gonzalez covers general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425.