Craig Eiland
Encyclopedia
Allen Craig Eiland is a Democratic
member and former Speaker pro Tempore of the Texas House of Representatives
. Eiland represents Texas House district 23, which includes Galveston, Jamaica Beach
, Texas City and the Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County and all of Chambers County.
Prior to redistricting in 2003, Eiland represented House District 24, which roughly covered all of Galveston County west of Interstate 45.
Eiland was first elected to the House in 1994. For eight years he served on the Insurance and Appropriations committees, including four years as Vice Chair of the Insurance Committee and two years as Chair of the House Pensions and Investments Committee.
In 2009, Speaker Joe Straus
named Eiland Speaker Pro-tempore of the House of Representatives, a job which entails leading the house in Speaker Straus' absence. Eiland was also named to the powerful House Appropriations committee and the Insurance committee. In 2011 Beverly Woolley
of Houston was chosen to replace Eiland after Republicans captured a super majority of seats (101 out of 150) in the 2010 elections.
He is viewed by his colleagues as an expert on insurance matters and the state budget in general and the Medicaid
and CHIP
program budgets specifically. Texas Monthly
magazine has also named Eiland one of Texas' 10 Best Lawmakers.
Eiland currently serves on the House Appropriations committee, and serves as Vice Chairman of the Insurance committee.
He lives on Galveston Island
and is married to the former Melissa Orebaugh. They have four children and are members of Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church in Galveston.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member and former Speaker pro Tempore of the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
. Eiland represents Texas House district 23, which includes Galveston, Jamaica Beach
Jamaica Beach, Texas
Jamaica Beach is a city in Galveston County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,075.-History:Prior to its development, Jamaica Beach was a Karankawa burial ground. Johnny Goyen and Earl Galceran of the Jamaica Corporation developed Jamaica Beach as a 2,000-lot...
, Texas City and the Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County and all of Chambers County.
Prior to redistricting in 2003, Eiland represented House District 24, which roughly covered all of Galveston County west of Interstate 45.
Eiland was first elected to the House in 1994. For eight years he served on the Insurance and Appropriations committees, including four years as Vice Chair of the Insurance Committee and two years as Chair of the House Pensions and Investments Committee.
In 2009, Speaker Joe Straus
Joe Straus
Joseph R. Straus, III, known as Joe Straus , is the current Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He represents District 121, which comprises northeastern Bexar County, including part of San Antonio, Texas, and several surrounding communities...
named Eiland Speaker Pro-tempore of the House of Representatives, a job which entails leading the house in Speaker Straus' absence. Eiland was also named to the powerful House Appropriations committee and the Insurance committee. In 2011 Beverly Woolley
Beverly Woolley
Beverly Woolley is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives representing District 136 which covers parts of Harris County, Texas. She is co-chair of the Tea Party caucus in the House...
of Houston was chosen to replace Eiland after Republicans captured a super majority of seats (101 out of 150) in the 2010 elections.
He is viewed by his colleagues as an expert on insurance matters and the state budget in general and the Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
and CHIP
State Children's Health Insurance Program
The State Children's Health Insurance Program – later known more simply as the Children's Health Insurance Program – is a program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides matching funds to states for health insurance to families with children...
program budgets specifically. Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly is a monthly American magazine headquartered in Austin, Texas. Texas Monthly is published by Emmis Publishing, L.P. and was founded in 1973 by Michael R. Levy, Texas Monthly chronicles life in contemporary Texas, writing on politics, the environment, industry, and education...
magazine has also named Eiland one of Texas' 10 Best Lawmakers.
Eiland currently serves on the House Appropriations committee, and serves as Vice Chairman of the Insurance committee.
He lives on Galveston Island
Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf coast in the United States, about 50 miles southeast of Houston. The entire island, with the exception of Jamaica Beach, is within the city limits of the City of Galveston....
and is married to the former Melissa Orebaugh. They have four children and are members of Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church in Galveston.
External links
- Representative Craig Eiland official Texas House of Representatives site