State Senator, District 11
Four-year term. The Texas Senate has 31 members from separate districts across the state. With the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate: enacts and amends laws; passes the state budget and raises or lowers taxes; passes proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution; and redraws congressional and legislative district maps every ten years. The Texas Senate has the exclusive power to approve or reject appointments made by the governor to fill vacancies in state or district offices and to hold trial for officials impeached by the Texas House of Representatives. Current annual salary: $7,200, plus $221 for every day the Legislature is in session, including any special sessions.
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Shannon Dicely
(Dem)
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Dennis Paul
(Rep)
What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation. What steps would you take as a state senator to ensure access to affordable healthcare, including mental health services, for Texans who are currently uninsured or underserved?
What measures would you support to ensure adequate state funding for public schools and accountability for taxpayer funds used in voucher or education savings account programs?
What specific actions would you take to address the cost of living pressures facing Texans, including rising property taxes, homeowner and renter insurance costs, and housing affordability?
TX SD-11 has been my chosen home for nearly two decades, and I have watched as it has changed and grown. I have long been engaged in the community through volunteer work, neighborhood leadership, and local civic involvement. Recently, I graduated with my master's degree in political science, having gone back to school to better understand how the system works. As a mother and a cancer survivor, I have experienced the issues that are affecting our district firsthand—affordability, public education, and healthcare. But what qualifies me most for this is how I care deeply for the community and want to see it thrive. I will listen to constituents in every corner to fully understand their needs and properly represent all of SD-11 in Austin.
My number one priority is expanding Medicaid in Texas. We are leaving billions of our tax dollars on the table because state leaders have made Texas one of only 10 states to refuse expansion. Expanding Medicaid will give more Texans affordable coverage and reduce costs through preventative care. We must also lower prescription drug costs, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and invest in mental health services such as school-based programs, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. With a new Lieutenant Governor, we can finally prioritize healthcare and explore a healthcare-for-all Texans plan so no Texan has to risk everything when they become ill.
Our state constitution requires the Legislature to adequately fund and maintain free public schools. Once ranked among the top 10 states for public education, we have fallen to the bottom 10 after years of inadequate funding. With 5.5 million children in our public schools, investing in education means investing in the next generation. We must ensure the basic allotment reflects the true cost of education, keeps pace with inflation, and follows enrollment. We should create a public education endowment for sustainable funding rather than temporary fixes. I support repealing vouchers and keeping public money in public schools. Until then, we must audit voucher funds and ensure they provide a quality education.
Texans need meaningful relief from the rising cost of living. As a coastal district, lowering homeowner and renter insurance costs must be a priority. We can increase accountability in the insurance market while also investing in Gulf Coast resiliency, fortified homes, and flood mitigation to reduce risk and premiums. We should protect housing affordability by limiting large-scale investor purchases and lower utility bills through energy efficiency and reliable energy policies. Raising the minimum wage will help working families keep up with rising costs. Finally, we must put people before politics. Legislators should not be taking campaign money from industries they regulate while serving on committees that oversee those same industries.
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