A resident of the Bay Area since 1983, Cheryl E. Johnson is a courageous, energetic and experienced leader. With nearly 34 years experience in real estate, government, tax and legislative activities, she is devoted to serving the people.
First elected in 1994 to the Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees, she worked tirelessly to bring accountability to Texas school districts. During her two terms, Cheryl served as Secretary, President for two years and was also appointed to represent CCISD on the Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors where she also served as Chair.
As the only trustee to recognize that a proposed $120M bond would not fulfill the needs of the community, Cheryl was the sole “no” vote and lead the community to defeat the bond. She then facilitated a team of community leaders that developed a $63M proposal that served hundreds more students plus brought equity to CCISD schools for older and new neighborhoods. The same year, trustees approved adoption of a 10% local option homestead exemption fulfilling one of Cheryl’s first campaign promises which was to reduce taxes.
The first Republican woman elected to a county-wide seat in 2004, she became the highest “vote getter” of any contested Galveston County race in 2008. Cheryl has served as Galveston County “Cut Tax” Assessor/Collector with passion and commitment, participating in efforts to bring about meaningful property tax relief over the last 17 years. She stood beside Americans for Prosperity Texas Director, Peggy Venable, in opposition to taxpayer funded lobbying that involved the powerful, nearly untouchable Texas Association of Counties as well as many legislative efforts to establish revenue limits on ballooning Texas governments.
After Hurricane Ike wrecked havoc across Galveston County in September 2008 and with two of her offices heavily damaged and many staff living in temporary quarters, Cheryl trampled her Democratic opponent despite Obama’s wildly successful push to the presidency that swept many Republicans out of office. She then directed her energies on correcting deficiencies in laws that slowed recovery and harmed citizens after a disaster such as Ike. Her successes in Austin caught the eye of many State leaders and in 2009, Governor Perry appointed her as the tax assessor collector representative on the nearly created Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board where she served as Vice Chair in 2010 and 2011. (The DMV generates nearly $4 billion annually for Texas roads.) Cheryl participated on a panel of officials addressing disasters at the Comptroller’s annual Property Tax Institute in Austin in December where she voiced support for additional corrections to Texas’ Property Tax Code that would benefit property owners immediately and communities in the long run (such as automatic disaster reappraisal).
Whether testifying on transportation, election, or tax legislation at the State Capitol or entertaining groups at local chamber luncheons, Cheryl E. Johnson has continued to prove her commitment to smaller, smarter government and representing the best interests of Galveston County and Texas taxpayers. An uncompromising leader, she is a dedicated public servant who has – and will continue to – stand boldly on conservative values, always focused on doing what is right.
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LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
1993 Founder and Member, Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility in Education
1994 Appointee, State Senator J. E. Brown’s Advisory Committee on Education
1994 Director, Clear Creek Education Foundation
1994 – 1999 Board of Trustees, Clear Creek Independent School District.
1995 Secretary, Board of Trustees, Clear Creek Independent School District.
1996 & 1997 President, Board of Trustees, Clear Creek Independent School District.
1996 Statewide Legislative Advisory Council for the Texas Association of School Boards
1996 Member, Federal Relationship Network of the National Association of School Boards
1997 – 1999 Member, Board of Directors, Galveston Central Appraisal District (2 years Chair)
2000 Appointee, Galveston County Indigent Health Care Task Force
2005 to Present Ex-Officio Member, Board of Directors, Galveston Central Appraisal District
2007 to Present Legislative, By-Laws, Education and Security Committees, Tax Assessor Collectors Assoc. of TX
2009 to 2011 Vice Chair, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board
MEMBERSHIPS
Americans For Prosperity Texas
American Business Women’s Association of Santa Fe
Bay Area, Clear Creek, Galveston and Sandpiper Republican Women’s Clubs
Friendswood, Hitchcock, North Galveston County and Santa Fe Chambers of Commerce
Galveston Association of Realtors
Galveston Island Propeller Club
Heritage Foundation
Tax Assessor Collectors Association of Texas
Texas Association of Assessing Officers
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility