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
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March for Life 2025
This year, I was proud to stand alongside my fellow members of the Pro-Life Caucus and hundreds of passionate Ohioans at the Statehouse for the annual Ohio March for Life.
It was an inspiring day filled with hope, determination, and unity as we reaffirmed our commitment to protecting the sanctity of life.
Together with my friends and colleagues, we will continue fighting for life in Ohio!
House Bills 133 and 126
It was an honor to testify for the first time in the Senate on two important pieces of legislation that will positively impact Ohioans and our business community.
House Bill 126, assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, is a common-sense, pro-business bill that protects the integrity of Ohio's legal system by ensuring product-related cases are handled through the appropriate legal channels. It strengthens the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision that such cases must be brought under the Product Liability Act, not through misused and politicized public nuisance claims.
Additionally, I testified in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on HB 133, a bill that supports small employers by creating a tax credit for those offering Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) to employees. As Medicaid funding changes and enhanced subsidies phase out, we must find lasting solutions to help small businesses provide affordable, private health coverage. HB 133 empowers employers to help their employees purchase their own coverage, expanding access to health insurance as work requirements evolve.
I'm proud to champion these initiatives, which support Ohio's businesses, workers, and families, and I look forward to continuing the fight for sensible, forward-thinking policies that strengthen our state.
Providing Sponsor Testimony on House Bills 476 and 424
I had the honor of giving sponsor testimony on House Bill 476 before the House Finance Committee, an issue that was brought to me by Dalton Police Chief Eric McFarren and Brock Yoder, with the Wayne County Dog Shelter. This legislation, which I’m sponsoring alongside Rep. David Thomas, will legalize online raffle ticket sales. It’s an important step in supporting the fundraising efforts of countless local nonprofits, police and fire departments, and community organizations that rely on online raffles to help fund their missions. By providing a legal framework for these organizations to continue their work, HB 476 will help ensure that Ohio’s communities stay strong and supported.
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 Additionally, I had the opportunity to testify on House Bill 424, which I’m sponsoring alongside Rep. Bernie Willis. This bill addresses a gap in Ohio’s public pension systems that currently impacts our law enforcement officers. Right now, the separation between OP&F and OPERS can unintentionally discourage experienced officers from pursuing leadership roles, such as becoming a deputy sheriff or running for sheriff, due to the potential impact on their retirement benefits. HB 424 aims to fix this by allowing officers to continue advancing in their careers without sacrificing the pensions they’ve worked so hard to earn. These dedicated public servants deserve every opportunity to serve their communities while securing their futures.
Ohio House GOP Caucus Podcast with Representative Kellie Deeter
I had the pleasure of joining Rep. Kellie Deeter on the latest episode of the Ohio House GOP Caucus Podcast - Message from the House! We had a great conversation about our newly formed Rural Hospital Caucus and the critical work we're doing to protect and strengthen rural healthcare across Ohio. With many rural hospitals facing unique challenges, we’re committed to finding solutions that ensure every Ohioan has access to quality care, no matter where they live. Be sure to tune in and hear how we’re working to support rural healthcare in our state!
State Champions!
I had the distinct honor of welcoming the 2025 Division V Champion Waynedale Baseball Golden Bears to the Ohio House Floor! It was an exciting moment as we celebrated their incredible achievement and hard work. Huge congratulations to Coach Daugherty and the entire team for bringing home the championship, once again. Go Bears!
Introducing House Bill 513 with Representative Beth Lear
I’m excited to announce that I’ve teamed up with Rep. Beth Lear to introduce House Bill 513, a bill that empowers local governments to decide for themselves whether to apply prevailing wage on public construction projects. The idea for this legislation was brought to me by Doylestown Village Councilman, Mark Hammer.
Currently, state law mandates prevailing wage on all public construction, driving up costs for local governments and taxpayers. Our bill doesn’t eliminate prevailing wage; it simply makes it optional, allowing cities, villages, townships, and counties to decide what works best for their budgets.
For example, under this approach, the City of Wooster could have saved nearly $2 million on recent capital projects. It’s time to give local leaders the flexibility they need to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly and avoid unnecessary costs. It’s hypocritical for the state legislature to ask local governments to reduce property taxes while mandating costly prevailing wage laws. HB 513 will give them the freedom to make decisions that align with their community’s needs.
A Tour of PepsiCo in Wadsworth
I had a fantastic visit to the PepsiCo distribution facility in Wadsworth, where I learned about the significant economic impact the company has on our region. It was inspiring to see firsthand how businesses like PepsiCo provide rewarding, long-term jobs for local families and contribute to the growth of our community.
PepsiCo is a great example of how, when we let innovation thrive without unnecessary government interference, success follows. Thank you to the Ohio Beverage Association for organizing this visit and for your continued efforts in supporting Ohio jobs and strengthening our communities.
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Visiting Chippewa Schools
I had the privilege of spending time with the Chippewa Chipps! It was a fun day connecting with students, staff, administrators, and touring the classrooms.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to engage with our educators and students, and I’m proud to continue partnering with our schools to invest in the future of our students and community. Together, we’re working to create an environment where every student can succeed.
Philip Wigal’s Law Passes the House Unanimously
The Ohio House unanimously passed House Bill 132, also known as Philip Wigal’s Law. This legislation, which I jointly sponsored with Rep. Melanie Miller, strengthens Ohio’s Move Over Law by creating a tiered penalty system for drivers who fail to slow down or move over for stationary emergency and service vehicles. Named in honor of Town & Country Fire Lt. Philip Wigal, who tragically lost his life in 2022, HB 132 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
House-Passed Legislation in October
Lowering Property Taxes in Ohio
 
Wrapping Up the 2025 Legislative Year
We have two more sessions left this year. I’m looking forward to continuing our work on key priorities for Ohio’s future. Stay tuned for updates, and as always, thank you for your support!
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