Ballotpedia: Terry Meza

Terry is originally from Irving, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas-Arlington, a graduate degree from the University of Dallas, and a law degree from Texas Wesleyan University. 

Terry currently works as a lawyer at her own law practice. She has also spent many years as a teacher, working at South Grand Prairie High School, Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic School, and North Lake College.

Terry Meza is a state representative for State House District 105. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her 3rd term. She previously ran for this same seat in 2014 and 2016, but did not win.

Candidate website

Supports better pay and job skills development programs.

Supports job skills development programs.

Wants to ensure everyone has the support, encouragement, and resources to become small business owners.

- Supports job skills development programs.
- Wants to ensure everyone has the support, encouragement, and resources to become small business owners.

Economy

As a co-author of House Bill 8, removed the statute of limitations for sexual assault and plans to address the backlog of untested rape kits.

As a representative, co-authored House Bill 8, which removed the statute of limitations for sexual assault.

Opposes SB4, the “Show me your papers” bill, and HB45, the “anti-sharia law” bill.

Opposes "discriminatory" legislation such as SB4, the “Show me your papers” bill, and HB45, the “anti-sharia law” bill.

Said, "I will work to make the criminal justice system fairer for all... This means understanding the effectiveness and potential harm of current policies (like no-knock warrants); and removing barriers to work, housing and more for those that have already served their time in prison."

Prioritizes funding gun violence prevention research and "keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers."

- As a representative, co-authored House Bill 8, which removed the statute of limitations for sexual assault.
- Opposes "discriminatory" legislation such as SB4, the “Show me your papers” bill, and HB45, the “anti-sharia law” bill.
- Said, "I will work to make the criminal justice system fairer for all... This means understanding the effectiveness and potential harm of current policies (like no-knock warrants); and removing barriers to work, housing and more for those that have already served their time in prison."
- Prioritizes funding gun violence prevention research and "keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers."

Public Safety

Supports accepting $100 billion in federal Medicaid money to provide healthcare for two million uninsured Texas families.

As a state representative, joint-authored House Bill 72 to expand healthcare access for all children in the foster care system.

- Supports accepting $100 billion in federal Medicaid money to provide healthcare for two million uninsured Texas families.
- As a state representative, joint-authored House Bill 72 to expand healthcare access for all children in the foster care system.

Healthcare

Believes every child deserves to attend a clean, safe school and is committed to rebuilding public school systems.

As a co-author of House Bill 3, which aims to provide more resources for Texas classrooms, increase teacher pay, and cut local property taxes.

As a representative, co-authored House Bill 3, which aims to provide more resources for Texas classrooms, increase teacher pay, and cut local property taxes.

Believes there is a "growing gap in the quality of education" and is committed to rebuilding the public school system.

- Believes every child deserves to attend a clean, safe school and is committed to rebuilding public school systems.
- As a representative, co-authored House Bill 3, which aims to provide more resources for Texas classrooms, increase teacher pay, and cut local property taxes.
- Believes there is a "growing gap in the quality of education" and is committed to rebuilding the public school system.

Education

Supports The Green Texas Act 2021, which includes initiatives like investment in mass transit systems, protecting natural resources, and ending tax exemptions for fossil fuel production facilities.

- Supports The Green Texas Act 2021, which includes initiatives like investment in mass transit systems, protecting natural resources, and ending tax exemptions for fossil fuel production facilities.

Energy & the Environment

As of September 7, 2024, Terry Meza’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

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Terry Meza

Terry Meza currently serves as a state representative for Texas house of representatives district 105. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her 3rd term. She previously ran for this same seat in 2014 and 2016, but did not win.

Said, "La Legislatura de Texas tiene el imperativo moral de trabajar por los hombres y mujeres trabajadores de Texas, y no por intereses especiales."

Believes the Texas Legislature has a "moral imperative" to serve "hard-working Texas men and women, and not special interests."

Believes in affordable housing and economic development.

Promises to advocate for "better wages and more job skill development programs."

Believes there are "many reasons" why someone starts their own business.

Believes in the importance of diverse employment opportunities, saying "Major Fortune 500 companies employ residents in the area, as do the school districts, universities, and many thriving small businesses (including a variety of ethnic markets and eateries)."

Supports access to food by having multiple food banks operating in Irving and Grand Prairie.

Plans to advocate for improved pay, job skills development programs, and equal opportunities to ensure all constituents can succeed economically.

Supports providing unemployment resources, and notes that the Cities of Irving and Grand Prairie both offer unemployment resources.

Supports providing rental assistance and housing aid.

Supports local and state efforts to provide housing assistance, including rental and mortgage support.

Supports installing a No Knock Warrant Bill to improve criminal justice reform.

Opposes "any discriminatory legislation" including SB4, the "show me your papers" bill, and HB45, the "anti-sharia" bill.

Believes in "building bridges, not walls" and supports community unity and collaboration.

Plans to advocate for criminal justice reform by introducing a new bill on no-knock warrants.

Como coautor del Proyecto de Ley 8 de la Cámara de Representantes, ayudó a eliminar el estatuto de limitación por agresión sexual y a abordar la acumulación estatal de kits de violación no probados.

Believes in "building bridges and not walls" when it comes to democracy.

Promises to "never stop fighting" until the justice system is fair and provides equal opportunities for all.

- As a representative, co-authored House Bill 8, which removed the statute of limitations for sexual assault.
- Opposes "discriminatory" legislation such as SB4, the “Show me your papers” bill, and HB45, the “anti-sharia law” bill.

Supports accepting $100 million in federal Medicaid funds to provide healthcare for two million uninsured Texas families.

Believes the best way to stay safe is to stay home, stay informed, and keep washing hands.

Believes every Texan deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare.

Supports mental health resources for frontline workers, including a 24/7 COVID-19 mental health support line created by Texas Health and Human Services.

Believes "every Texan deserves to have access to quality, affordable health coverage and care."

Supports following CDC guidelines for COVID-19, including social distancing and handwashing.

Supports mental health resources and Texas Health and Human Services' 24/7 COVID-19 Mental Health Support line for frontline workers.

Believes in providing accurate and timely COVID-19 information to the public.

Supports following CDC guidelines for COVID-19, including social distancing and hand washing.

Believes in following public health guidelines to manage COVID-19 and supports vaccination efforts.

Supports the Irving Independent School District.

Believes education is crucial, saying "I learned the importance of an education from my mom, who was not afforded the same opportunities to learn as a child."

Believes in diverse teaching experience across all educational levels, from high school to university.

Promises to advocate against discrimination in schools and workplaces, including exclusion and disproportionate punishment.

Believes there is a need for change in the public school system to ensure success for all students and educators.

Comprometido a luchar contra la discriminación en las escuelas y el lugar de trabajo, desde la exclusión hasta el castigo desproporcionado.

Believes "every child should feel like they have a clean, safe school they can go to, but they don’t."

Supports voting by mail, same-day voter registration, and extended early voting.

Terry Meza grew up in a military family and currently resides in Irving, Texas. She attended UT Arlington, the University of Dallas, and Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. She has a son and is a fourth-generation Irvingite.

Terry Meza has owned and operated her own law practice since 2000. She has also spent many years teaching students at various educational levels, including South Grand Prairie High School, Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic School, and North Lake College.

Terry Meza is the current State Representative for Texas House District 105. Last session, she filed 80 bills and co-authored 20 bills, with 10 of those bills being passed into law.

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Texas House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas State Legislature
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. 
- There are 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives, each representing a single district. Representatives must be at least 21 years old and reside in the state for at least two years before their election. 
- State representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. There are no term limits. 
- State representatives make $7,200 annually in addition to a $221 payment per day during legislative sessions and mileage reimbursements.

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