Rep. Rose, Toni

Biography

Since being sworn in to the Texas House of Representatives in 2013, State Representative Toni Rose has proudly represented District 110, which includes the Dallas County communities of Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, and Balch Springs. A distinguished alumna of Paul Quinn College, Representative Rose has dedicated her career to advancing mental health initiatives, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and pursuing criminal justice reform.

Representative Rose currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Calendars and sits on the House Committee on Appropriations, House Subcommittee on Article II Appropriations, and House Committee on Human Services. In these pivotal roles, she has delivered over $1.5 billion in funding for critical state and regional priorities, such as local mental health authorities, the Early Childhood Intervention program, and the new Texas Behavioral Health Center at UT Southwestern. She has been a leader in the fight against hunger in Texas, securing over $80 million to ensure eligible children receive free school meals and food benefits. Representative Rose has also successfully advocated for wage increases for home care attendants, funding for the Department of State Health Services' Alzheimer's Program, and investments in parks and neighborhoods.

Beyond her budget achievements, Representative Rose has advanced landmark legislation that creates lasting change for Texans. She authored House Bill 12, which extends postpartum Medicaid benefits for Texas mothers from two to 12 months to eliminate preventable pregnancy-related deaths. She championed legislation to establish a Statewide Interagency Aging Services Coordinating Council, expand access to low-cost prescription medication, create state residential treatment facilities for children without placement, and improve care for sickle cell patients.

Her record of results has earned her recognition as one of the Capitol’s most effective lawmakers. In 2023, Texas Monthly named her among the “Best Legislators” and Capitol Inside put her on the “Ten Best” list. She has also been honored by AARP, No Kid Hungry, Mental Health America, the Texas Medical Association, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the Texas Retired Teachers Association, the Texas State Employees Union, Equality Texas, and numerous other organizations.

Representative Rose’s hands-on approach has been instrumental to her election to leadership roles in local, state, and national organizations. She is currently the Vice Chair of the Texas Women’s Health Caucus, Secretary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and Corresponding Secretary of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women. Previously, Representative Rose served as the Chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, Secretary of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, and Treasurer of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women. She also maintains active memberships in the NAACP Dallas Branch, League of Women Voters of Dallas, Paul Quinn National Alumni Association, Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, United Negro College Fund, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, National Council of Negro Women, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Representative Rose is a fierce champion for District 110 and the state of Texas who will always advocate for policies that improve lives, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for all Texans to thrive.