RITA COOK / News Editor

    AUSTIN – He led the opening prayer on his first day as a democratic freshman State Representative. Representative Carl Sherman, District 109 was sworn in last Tuesday in Austin for his first day on the 86th Legislative Session.

    It was the new Speaker of the House Republican Dennis Bonnen who directly requested Sherman lead the prayer.

    “I was honored to have the new Speaker of the House, Dennis Bonnen ask me to do the invocation to open our first day of the session,” Sherman said. “What a privilege it was to lead the House in prayer this morning.”

    Sherman also said he came away from the inauguration with a clear vision of how he sees transformational improvements in public education and school finance.

    “I have expressed great concern about the states continued decrease in funding for public education,” Sherman said, “which has caused school districts across the State of Texas to increase property taxes.”

    A key item during Sherman’s election run was to tackle school reform and he intends to do it.

    Numbers during the summer indicated historically, the State of Texas accounted for approximately 67% of school district funding, but now the state’s portion is approximately 38%.

    “The state has not lived up to one of our primary obligations,” Sherman said.

    In short Sherman said changing the scenario on education does not sit well with him.

    “Simply put, you get upset and blame the child for seeking financial help from the community to cover the shortfall of the amount you assured your child you would cover if they focused on learning. I believe we should send a bold message to the 28 million plus Texans that we will handle first things first by settling this issue of public education and school finance at the start of the 86th legislative session.”

    Other key areas Sherman said he plans to address during his time in office included transportation, which he believes is critical to the economic development in the region as well as funding for mental illness.

    Texas Legislative District 109 includes DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Glenn Heights, Hutchins, Lancaster, Wilmer and parts of Duncanville and Dallas.