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Wayne County, It's an honor to serve you in the 77th House District. I am committed to working on conservative policy that delivers tax relief to Ohioans, spurs economic growth in our communities, and protects our second amendment rights. This month has been an exciting one and I have several updates to share with you. Sincerely, State Representative Meredith Craig

July Newsletter

In Columbus

House & Senate Approve Landmark State Budget with Flat Income Tax, Property Tax Reforms, and Local Investments

Earlier this summer, the Ohio House of Representatives approved the final version of House Bill 96, our State’s two-year Operating Budget. This plan reflects the priorities I hear from constituents across our district—protecting families, ensuring fiscal responsibility, supporting our first responders, and delivering more accountability from government at all levels.

The budget includes major steps to flatten the income tax, increase education funding, invest in local infrastructure and housing, and begin meaningful property tax reform. However, while many of these reforms were passed by the legislature, most of the key property tax provisions were vetoed by the Governor. In response, the Ohio House took action and overrode the veto of Item #66—a critical provision that brings much-needed change to Ohio’s levy system and increases transparency for taxpayers.

What Item #66 Means for You

Item #66 addresses longstanding concerns about levy abuse, voter confusion, and the following:

• Makes clarifying changes to ballot language so voters better understand the true impact of proposed tax levies
• Removes the authority for local governments to place new replacement property tax levies on the ballot
• Eliminates the authority for school districts to propose fixed-sum emergency or substitute levies, renewal with an increase levies, and combined school district income tax and fixed-sum property tax levies
• Prohibits school districts from requesting a new current expense levy if they carry over more than 100% of their prior-year general fund expenses

These changes help ensure that levies are presented clearly and only appear when truly necessary, protecting taxpayers from excessive and confusing property tax increases.

Other Highlights from the State Budget:

• Income Tax Reform: Transitions Ohio to a flat income tax of 2.75% by 2026, down from 3.5%, simplifying the tax system and boosting economic competitiveness
• School Funding: Adds nearly $700 million more for public schools and completes the phase-in of the Cupp-Patterson school funding formula
• Support for Families: Creates the Child Care Choice program with $100 million per year to assist working families, and expands the Help Me Grow program for early childhood development
• School Choice: Increases Autism and Jon Peterson Scholarship amounts and the homeschool tax credit
• First Responder Support: Provides $65 million for law enforcement training, $21 million for the MARCS communication system, $27 million for the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, and $8 million in new grants for small-county fire departments
• Medicaid Oversight: Strengthens Medicaid transparency through new audit requirements and fraud prevention tools
• Local Government Fund: Increases the Local Government Fund share from 1.70% to 1.75%, sending more dollars back to counties, municipalities, and townships
• Brownfield Remediation: Adds $25 million each fiscal year to the Brownfield Remediation Fund to support cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites
• Next Gen 911: Raises the Next Gen 911 access fee from 40 cents to 60 cents to modernize emergency response systems
• Opportunity Zone Tax Credit: Allocates $50 million per year to incentivize investment in Ohio's Opportunity Zones
• Residential Economic Development Districts: Provides grants to communities within 20 miles of major economic development projects to expand housing, infrastructure, and utility capacity to meet growing demands
• Welcome Home Ohio Program: Extends the Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) tax credit through fiscal year 2027. The program now includes qualified nonprofit developers—such as Habitat for Humanity—as eligible recipients of funding to help expand affordable homeownership opportunities

House Bill 96 is a comprehensive budget that not only addresses today's needs but also positions Ohio for long-term growth, sustainability, and accountability. By overriding the veto of Item #66, the House stood firm in protecting the interests of taxpayers and ensuring a more transparent property tax system.

Since January, the Legislature has been very busy and working diligently to pass important bills for Ohio. I'm proud to say that over the last six months, 78 bills have passed by the Ohio House, two of which are bills that I sponsored and co-sponsored, House Bill 126 and House Bill 133.

You can read more about the legislation I'm actively working on here!

Disaster Relief Now Available for Farmers Impacted by 2023–2024 Weather Events

Farmers across Ohio know all too well the toll that extreme weather can take on their operations. From heavy rains and flooding to droughts and polar vortex conditions, unpredictable weather has created major challenges for our agricultural communities.

That’s why I’m pleased to share that the USDA Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) application is now open. This program provides critical financial assistance to producers who experienced losses due to natural disasters in 2023 or 2024.

With $16 billion in federal funding available, SDRP is a major resource to help our farmers recover and continue feeding our communities.

Eligible disasters include:

• Wildfires
• Hurricanes
• Floods
• Derechos
• Excessive heat
• Tornadoes
• Winter storms
• Freeze events (including polar vortex)
• Smoke exposure
• Excessive moisture
• Qualifying drought and related conditions

To apply, producers must submit the FSA-526 form, the Stage One application for SDRP, and have other required documentation on file with the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

You can find the full application details and instructions here, Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) | Farm Service Agency. Contact my office at Rep77@ohiohouse.gov if you need assistance navigating the process.

Formation of House Rural Hospital Caucus to Support Healthcare Access in Rural Communities

Rural communities are the heart of Ohio and they deserve access to quality, reliable healthcare close to home. That’s why I’m proud to announce the formation of the Ohio Rural Hospital Caucus, which I co-chair alongside Rep. Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk). This new bipartisan effort is focused on protecting and strengthening rural healthcare across the state.

Rural hospitals are lifelines in their communities. They provide not only emergency medical care, but also serve as major employers and anchors for local economies. Yet, these critical institutions are facing growing threats—rising operational costs, workforce shortages, shrinking reimbursements, and the lasting impact of recent health crises.

Year after year, we see rural hospitals consolidate or close. That’s not just a healthcare issue—it’s a community issue. The state needs to act, and this caucus is the first step.

With new federal initiatives like the One Big Beautiful Bill and the creation of the Rural Health Fund, which allocates $50 billion nationwide to support rural hospitals, Ohio has an opportunity to step up and make real change. Additionally, the Rural (Southern) Ohio Hospital Tax Pilot Program was recently included in the State Operating Budget for fiscal years 2026–2027—another sign that momentum is building.

The Rural Hospital Caucus will focus on:

• Advocating for sustainable state and federal funding for rural hospitals
• Improving recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals in rural areas
• Exploring solutions to expand access to care and close gaps in services
• Serving as a policy forum to address the specific and unique challenges rural hospitals face

This is not just about dollars and cents—it’s about ensuring that every Ohioan, no matter where they live, can get the care they need when they need it. I look forward to working with colleagues across the aisle to deliver real, lasting solutions for rural healthcare in Ohio.

In District

Summer in the District: Staying Connected While the House is on Break

The Ohio House of Representatives is officially on summer recess until mid-September, and I’m taking this time to focus on meeting with constituents, community leaders, and businesses.

While session may be paused in Columbus, my work continues right here at home. I’m spending the summer traveling across the district, meeting with constituents, listening to concerns, and celebrating everything that makes our community special.

From local parades and festivals to township meetings and the Wayne County Fair, I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks. These events are a great reminder of the strong sense of pride and tradition we share in Wayne County—and they’re also a valuable opportunity for me to hear directly from you about the issues that matter most.

If you see me out and about, please don’t hesitate to stop and say hello. I’m here to serve, and your input helps shape the work I do every day on your behalf at the Statehouse.

Connecting with Local Employers in Orrville

The Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed me for a conversation with local business leaders. It was a great opportunity to provide an update on what’s happening in Columbus, especially as we wrapped up work on the state budget.

We talked about key developments that impact both our local economy and workforce, and I appreciated the thoughtful questions and feedback from local businesses. These kinds of conversations help keep me grounded in the needs of our community as I continue to serve at the Statehouse.

Thank you to the Chamber for hosting, and to all who took time out of their busy schedules to join the discussion.

Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Hiring Event and Open House

I stopped by the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s hiring event and open house and had a great visit with Lt. Perrin and the entire team.

Over the last couple of months, after the tragic events in Minnesota, the Patrol has gone out of their way to keep my home and neighborhood safe. I really appreciate their presence and support—it means a lot to me and my family.

It was also a chance to learn more about their recruitment efforts and to thank them for the important work they do every day across the state. I even got to spend some time with one of their very sharp K-9s (he puts my two German Shepherds to shame!).

Thank you to the Patrol for the warm welcome and for your continued service to Ohio.

Wayne County’s Carrie Snyder to Lead Ohio Right to Life

Congratulations to fellow Wayne Countian Carrie Snyder on being named Executive Director of Ohio Right to Life (ORTL)! Carrie has been a passionate and principled voice for life, and I’m excited to work with her in this new role as we continue advancing pro-life policy in Ohio.

One of the efforts I’m especially looking forward to working on with Carrie and ORTL is House Bill 324, a bill I’m sponsoring alongside Rep. Adam Mathews. Known as the Patient Protection Act, this legislation would require that if a drug with serious risks—such as sepsis, hemorrhaging, hospitalization, or death—is prescribed, the patient must be seen by the prescribing physician before taking the drug and have a follow-up appointment afterward. A recent report from the Ethics and Public Policy Center highlighted concerning data on mifepristone, showing high failure rates and repeated usage that point to real risks for women.

It’s encouraging to see someone from our community stepping into such an important leadership role. I look forward to working with Carrie to protect life and better support women, babies, and families across Ohio.

Representing Ohio at the National Council of Insurance Legislators

I had a great time attending the summer NCOIL meeting in Chicago alongside House Insurance Chairman Brian Lampton and staff from the Ohio Department of Insurance.

The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) brings together lawmakers and regulators from across the country to discuss and shape model legislation on issues like health, life, and property & casualty insurance. These conversations are bipartisan and often technical, but they play a big role in informing the insurance policy decisions we make back home.

As Vice Chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee, I’m proud to be part of these important discussions and to help ensure Ohio remains a leader in promoting smart, balanced insurance policy that protects consumers and keeps our insurance market competitive and strong.

Wayne County Fair – September 6^th to September 11^th

The Wayne County Fair is just around the corner, running from Saturday, September 6, through Thursday, September 11. I’m excited to be there throughout the week – you can find me underneath the grandstand.

I look forward to seeing many of you, hearing your thoughts, and chatting about the issues that matter most to our community. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Celebrating the New Wayne County Jail

I had the honor of joining county leaders, construction partners, and members of our community for the topping-off ceremony of the new Wayne County Jail.

Placing the final steel beam is more than just a construction milestone. It’s a celebration of the teamwork, dedication, and vision that’s driving this project forward. The beam, proudly signed by Bogner Construction Company and topped with the American flag, Wayne County flag, and a traditional evergreen tree, stands as a symbol of strength, growth, and unity.

This moment reflects the hard work of so many—from the skilled trades workers on site to the community members and local leaders who have helped guide the way. I’m proud to support this effort to improve public safety and invest in the future of Wayne County.

Celebrating the Opening of Sunny Boutique in Downtown Wooster

I had the pleasure of presenting Sunny Boutique with a commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives recognizing their grand opening.

I love to see continued growth and development in downtown Wooster, and Sunny Boutique is a fantastic addition to our community. I’m looking forward to seeing all their success as they carry out their dream.

Please support small businesses – your encouragement makes a real difference!

Visiting Wooster Community Hospital and Meeting Dr. Cyril Ofori

I recently had the opportunity to visit Wooster Community Hospital and speak with Dr. Cyril Ofori. Dr. Ofori was selected to lead research on the impacts of artificial intelligence in cardiology—a task that places him alongside peers from Harvard, Yale, Duke, and other top institutions.

I’m proud to have someone like Dr. Ofori right here in our backyard, providing critical care while advancing cutting-edge research that will shape the future of medicine and innovation.

Our community is fortunate to benefit from his expertise and dedication.

The Ohio Legislature is now in recess until the fall, which means I’ll be back in Wayne County and attending as many local events as I can. I look forward to seeing you and connecting with our community!