Friends and Neighbors,
It's an honor to serve you in the 77th district. I look forward to working on conservative policy that delivers tax relief, spurs economic growth in our communities, and protects our second amendment rights.
Here's what I've been up to since the start of the 136th General Assembly.
January marked a momentous occasion as I took the oath of office to proudly as your State Representative for the 77th House District, which encompasses all of Wayne County. I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with this role, and I am deeply committed to representing the interests and concerns of our community.
Prior to this, I spent many years working at the Ohio Department of Insurance, and I am excited to serve as Vice Chair of the House Insurance Committee. This is a significant responsibility, and it’s a role I take with great pride. My background in insurance policy allows me to advocate for common-sense, consumer-focused solutions that will benefit Ohio families and businesses.
In addition to my role on the House Insurance Committee, I am fortunate to serve as a member of several other critical committees that will allow me to continue advocating for the needs of our district. These include the House Health Committee, the House Medicaid Committee, and the House Military and Veterans Development Committee. These committees will allow me to work on important issues such as healthcare access, veterans’ support, and the well-being of all Ohioans.
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Representatives Craig and Miller Introduce Philip Wigal's Law
State Representative Melanie Miller and I recently introduced Philip Wigal’s Law, legislation to strengthen penalties for drivers who fail to comply with Ohio’s “Move Over Law.”
I am honored to work with the Wigal family on this important and much-needed legislation. This initiative has been long overdue, and it is crucial that we take action now. I am committed to advancing this bill through the House and working closely with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure that we pass it into law.
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Property Tax Reform
Inflation has hit us hard in the real estate market, and with property values continuing to rise, homeowners are feeling the burden of increased taxes. As your State Representative, I am committed to addressing this issue and working toward meaningful solutions this year.
While I am actively engaged in discussions on property tax reform, I am also leaning heavily on my colleagues who have deep expertise in this area to craft creative and effective solutions. We are focusing on addressing unvoted tax increases, providing direct relief to those most in need, and ensuring the tax system is more transparent and understandable for taxpayers.
To make the legislative process clearer for you, our approach is to introduce multiple single-issue bills. This will allow you to see exactly what measures are being considered and passed while ensuring that relief reaches homeowners as soon as possible—potentially as early as next year.
Additionally, I encourage you to engage with your local government regarding unvoted tax increases. Entities such as counties, schools, townships, villages, and cities were not required to accept these increases. They had the option to lower rates or take other actions to ease the tax burden. I recommend reaching out to ask why they chose to receive the unvoted increase, how they plan to use those funds, and whether they would consider reducing tax rates for next year.
For updates on proposed bills and legislative progress, you can visit the Ohio Legislature website here.
Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Award Ceremony
I was honored to provide commendations to the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce's Annual Award Winners. Nearly 900 business and community members were in attendance.
Constituent Meetings in Columbus
Over the last few months, I've met with several of my constituents who were in Columbus and wanted to talk with me. If you are visiting the Statehouse and would like to meet with me, don't hesitate to reach out!
District Meetings
As your State Representative, staying connected with our community is my top priority. That’s why I dedicate Mondays and Fridays to meeting with constituents and local businesses throughout the district. These conversations help me better understand your concerns, ideas, and the issues that matter most to you. I had the opportunity to meet with ProVia leadership and tour their Sugarcreek facility. I was also able to visit and tour the Cleveland Clinic Wooster Family Health Center.
If you’d like to schedule a meeting, please reach out to my office so we can set aside the appropriate time to discuss your needs. You can contact us at 614-466-1474 or Rep77@ohiohouse.gov.
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Lyric Theater Grand
Re-Opening
Do you know of someone or a business celebrating a big achievement? Retirement? Getting an award for public service or recognition? Reach out to us at Rep77@ohiohouse.gov. I was honored to attend and provide a commendation for the grand re-opening of the Lyric Theater in Wooster.
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Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC) Fellowship Application
The Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC) is now accepting applications for 2025-2026 LSC Fellows. If you are a recent college graduate or planning to graduate this year and are interested in working with the Ohio House or Senate, LSC, or in media production, please consider applying for this full-time, one year program. I am a proud 2014 LSC Fellow. The fellowship was instrumental in building my state government career and I highly encourage it for anyone interested in public service. Please see the link for more details and be sure to apply by April 11.
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