About Cheryl

A resident of the Bay Area since 1983, Cheryl E. Johnson is a courageous, energetic and experienced leader. With over 41 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 and to protect the rights of parents and children.  During two terms, Cheryl served as Secretary, President two years and was also appointed to represent CCISD on the Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors where she served as Chair for one year.
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 older CCISD schools.  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 Galveston County race and maintains that record today! 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 25 years. She stood beside Americans for Prosperity Texas Director, Peggy Venable, in opposition to taxpayer funded lobbying and is hopeful House District 23 Representative Mayes Middleton’s HB 281 will finally prohibit this form of government abuse.  She has been firmly grounded in supporting voter approved limits on tax rate increases for all Texas governments believing that this is the most local control of all.
After Hurricane Ike wrecked havoc across Galveston County in September 2008, 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 to the nearly created Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board where she served two years as Vice Chair.
Cheryl has long been a proponent of automatic disaster reappraisal, first vocalizing support after Ike during the 81st Legislative Session.  She has consistently and continually advocated for this taxpayer protection affirming the needs of the taxpayer outweigh the greed of governments opposed to an automatic value correction for those harmed. Many governments north and west of Houston agreed and authorized reappraisals after the horrific flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey but, sadly, Harris and Galveston County and the largest cities in both counties turned their back on their citizens.  The 86th Legislature is likely to make this badly needed correction in law.
Her promises to increase service, reduce cost and fight for property tax relief have been unending.  She has expanded partnerships for collection services saving governments (thus taxpayers) thousands, reduced the cost of providing those services by more than 60%, opened two satellite offices and has partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife thus providing boat services along with motor vehicle services – all which have increased revenues to the County.  Internal processing of tax payments saved more than $40,000/year and despite a greater than 30% increase in property parcels, registered voters and car owners and the addition of 15,000 boat registrations, staffing levels remain at the 2006 level.
The Galveston County Tax Office just received the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Silver Level in the Performance Quality Recognition Program further proving her vision that “the race for quality has no finish line” and that it is possible for promises made to be promises kept.
Cheryl has successfully drafted and had filed over 30 pieces of legislation and has supported hundreds of proposals aimed at reforming the Texas tax system for the benefit of Texas property owners.
Whether testifying on transportation, election, or tax legislation at the State Capitol or engaged in teaching property owners how to best reduce their tax burden, Cheryl E. Johnson has continued to prove her commitment to representing the best interests of Galveston County and Texas taxpayers. An uncompromising leader and dedicated public servant who has – and will continue – to stand boldly on conservative values, she is always focused on doing what is right.
Stay current with Cheryl’s activities – click on the Taxpayer Advocate button above.
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 Committee, Tax Assessor Collectors Association of Texas
2009 to 2011 Vice Chair, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board
2012 Member, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board
2015-2017 Board Member, Galveston Island Humane Society
MEMBERSHIPS
Americans For Prosperity Texas
Galveston Republican Women
Hitchcock, League City, and Santa Fe Chambers of Commerce
Former 14 year affiliate member Galveston Association of Realtors
Heritage Foundation
Tax Assessor Collectors Association of Texas
National Rifle Association
50 Club of Galveston County
Lifetime Member Galveston County Fair and Rodeo