I had reported on the Texas Parent PAC endorsement of Sherrie Matula before the official press release came out. Here it is (Word doc), and here's the gist of it:
"Sherrie Matula will have an immediate impact in the Texas House of Representatives, because she is experienced, energetic, and totally committed to representing the people of her district," said Manuel Rodriguez, Jr. of Houston, a Texas Parent PAC Board member. "The families of H.D. 129 need better representation, and it is time for a change at the Capitol."[...]
"Unlike her opponent, Sherrie Matula represents the mainstream views and interests of parents and children, taxpayers and businesses," said Carolyn Boyle, Texas Parent PAC chair.
"Bay Area families deserve an independent representative who will consistently stand up for their needs rather than a lawmaker who bends to the will of political leaders."
Matula is the only candidate in this race who has taken a stand to oppose siphoning money from public schools to fund private school tuition vouchers. "In 2005, incumbent John Davis spoke on the House floor in support of a tax-funded program for low-income and Spanish-speaking Houston students to attend private academies," Rodriguez said. "Davis was irresponsible in pushing a voucher scheme that could have taken away $200 million from Houston public schools." The voucher program Davis supported was defeated.
Texas Parent PAC leaders said Matula has a wealth of experience and leadership ability that will allow her to hit the ground running at the state Capitol in January. Matula will use her leadership and collaboration skills to solve problems affecting families, including escalating property taxes, traffic congestion, neighborhood and port security, and skyrocketing insurance and utility bills. As a fiscal conservative, she will work to balance Texas fiscal operations and attract new businesses.
Matula moved to the Bay Area after graduating from the University of Houston in 1974. For 25 years she taught in the Clear Creek and Pasadena school districts. She was elected to two terms on the Clear Creek ISD school board, gaining experience in budget management, constituent service, and public policy decision-making.
Throughout her career Matula has been recognized for exemplary teaching and leadership skills, including multiple nominations for Who’s Who of America’s Teachers, National Honor Roll of Educators, and Disney Teacher of the Year. Parents and teachers honored her with a Lifetime PTA Award in 1988.
Matula has been a strong advocate for public education as a board member of the Texas State Teachers Association and as a citizen lobbyist for children and schools at the Texas legislature since 1978.
She has been very active in her community for over 30 years, including being a charter member of St. Bernadette’s Church, board member and president-elect of the Clear Lake Symphony, as well as a board member of her community association, Bay Area New Democrats, and Clear Lake High School choir, soccer, and youth basketball associations.
Mark and Sherrie Matula have been married for 33 years, and they have two daughters who both graduated from Texas A&M with degrees in mechanical engineering.