Taxpayeradvocate

A resident of the Bay Area since 1983, Cheryl 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 with passion and commitment.

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.

Elected in 2004 as the first Republican (and first female) Galveston County "Cut Tax" Assessor/Collector, Cheryl has continued her efforts to bring about meaningful property tax relief testifying on behalf of Texas taxpayers on hundreds of bills through the years, several her own. In 2009, Governor Perry appointed her as the tax assessor collector representative on the Board of the newly created Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and in January 2010, she was elected Vice Chair.

The Texas DMV, which generates nearly $4 billion annually, performs vehicle related functions such as registration, titling, dealer licensing and regulation and auto theft prevention. With more than 21 million vehicles registered in the State, the services provided by the DMV touch every Texan. Cheryl is focused on a vision for the agency to be an example of what every government agency should be like.

Whether testifying on transportation, election, or tax legislation at the State Capitol or entertaining groups at local chamber luncheons, Cheryl E. Johnson is dedicated to smaller, smarter government and representing the best interests of Galveston County taxpayers-a full time vocation. She is an uncompromising leader and dedicated public servant who has--and will continue to--stand boldly on conservative values, always focused on doing what is right.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
1993 to 2000 Founder and Member, Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility in Education
1994 to 1998 Appointee, State Senator J. E. Brown's Advisory Committee on Education
1994 to 1997 Director, Clear Creek Education Foundation
1994 to 1999 Board of Trustees, Clear Creek Independent School District.
1995                Elected Secretary, Board of Trustees, Clear Creek Independent School District.
1996                Elected President, Board of Trustees, Clear Creek Independent School District.
1996 to 1998 Elected to Statewide Legislative Advisory Council for the Texas Association of School Boards
1996 to 1999 Member, Federal Relationship Network of the National Association of School Boards
1997 to 2000 Member and Chair, Board of Directors, Galveston Central Appraisal District
2000                Appointee, Galveston County Indigent Health Care Task Force
2005 to Present Ex-Officio Member, Board of Directors, Galveston Central Appraisal District
2006 to Present Legislative and Security Committees, Tax Assessor Collectors Association of Texas
2007 to Present Programs and By Laws Committees, Tax Assessor Collectors Association of Texas
2009 to Present Vice Chair, Board, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

MEMBERSHIPS
Galveston Association of Realtors
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
Galveston Island Propeller Club
Friendswood, Galveston, Hitchcock, League City, North Galveston County and Santa Fe Chambers of Commerce
American Business Women's Association of Santa Fe
Clear Creek, Galveston and Sandpiper Republican Women's Clubs
Galveston Island Pachyderm
Tax Assessor Collectors Association of Texas
Texas Association of Assessing Officers
Americans For Prosperity Texas