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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

State Support Fuels PRC-Saltillo Growth

Prentke Romich Company (PRC) Saltillo has been approved for state support to expand its operations, bringing in 60 new full-time jobs and $5.1 million in new payroll to our region. The project includes reconfiguring more than 28,000 sq. ft. of office space to power this growth.

I recently visited Prentke Romich and got to see the incredible work they’re doing to support children and adults with complex communication needs. Their technology truly changes lives.

This expansion is part of a larger statewide push from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority to boost job creation and drive economic development across Ohio. Great things ahead!

The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge

I was honored to join Jim Tressel, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, at Rittman Middle School to support the launch of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge — a statewide initiative to help our students build healthy habits in physical activity, nutrition, and sleep.

The Challenge is designed for students in grades 4–8 and encourages them to set personal wellness goals and track their progress over a 90-day period. Participating students work through a “bronze → silver → gold” progression, supported by a workbook and guided activities to make fitness and healthy living part of their daily routine.

As your Representative, I believe it is important to promote initiatives like this, which invest in the long-term well-being of our children. If other schools in our district are interested in joining, more information can be found at the official Team Tressel Fitness Challenge page: TeamTressel.Ohio.gov.

I encourage school administrators to consider signing up — this is a great opportunity to help our students build healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Ohio-Led Innovation at National Insurance Council Meeting

I spent several days in Atlanta attending the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) annual meeting, where lawmakers and industry leaders from across the country gather to collaborate on the future of insurance policy. Ohio was well represented, with members of the House Insurance Committee and leadership from the Senate Insurance Committee joining the conversation.

I was honored to present at NCOIL for the first time and share one of my priority pieces of legislation: creating a state nonrefundable tax credit for employers who offer their workers an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). An ICHRA allows employers to reimburse employees for the cost of individual health insurance plans on the exchange rather than purchasing a traditional group plan. This gives employees more choice and flexibility, while giving employers a predictable and often lower-cost option for providing health benefits.

For many small businesses, offering health coverage is financially challenging. By creating a nonrefundable tax credit for employers who utilize an ICHRA, Ohio can: Lower barriers for small businesses who want to offer health benefits but cannot afford group plans. Increase employee access to quality, portable health insurance coverage. Promote flexibility and innovation in the health benefits market. Help small employers compete for workers with larger companies that already offer comprehensive benefits.

The proposal was well received at NCOIL and is now being reviewed as a potential model law that other states may consider adopting. Representatives from CMS, Ambetter Health, Oscar Health, and the Georgia Department of Insurance joined the panel to discuss the policy’s impact and potential nationwide benefits. I was proud to showcase the work Ohio is doing and to help shape forward-thinking insurance policy at the national level. I’ll continue advocating for tools that strengthen our small businesses and expand access to affordable healthcare options for Ohio workers.

Honoring Mayor Bill Robertson

I had the privilege of joining Rittman City Council to recognize Mayor Bill Robertson as he concludes an extraordinary 20 years of service to the community. Mayor Robertson’s steady leadership, commitment to public service, and genuine love for the people of Rittman have shaped the city in countless lasting ways.

From guiding the community through periods of growth and change to showing up day after day with integrity and humility, Mayor Robertson has set a high standard for what it means to lead. His impact will be felt long after he steps out of office.

Thank you, Mayor Robertson, for two decades of dedication to Rittman. I wish you nothing but the very best in this next chapter. Your service has truly made a difference.

A Big Finish to the Year: Three Craig Bills Pass the Ohio House on the Final Session Day

The final session day of the year marked an incredible milestone for our district and for Ohio. I’m thrilled to share that three of my bills — H.B.105, H.B. 324, and H.B. 476 — passed the Ohio House, all on the same day, and are now headed to the Senate just in time for winter break. Each bill reflects meaningful collaboration, strong constituent input, and a clear commitment to strengthening our legal system, protecting patients, and empowering community organizations. H.B. 105 – Bringing Transparency and Accountability to Third-Party Litigation Funding The Ohio House passed H.B. 105 with strong bipartisan support. This bill, which I co-sponsored with Rep. Jim Thomas, marks a major step toward bringing long-overdue transparency to third-party litigation funding and ensures that no foreign entity can invest in or influence our courts. When I met with local companies including Wayne Insurance, Mennonite Mutual, and Western Reserve, this was the #1 issue they raised. These reforms will save individuals thousands of dollars every year and help keep Ohio a strong, competitive insurance market. H.B. 105 includes three major components: A strong, uniform registration and regulatory framework under the Attorney General. Any litigation funding company — whether financing a consumer lawsuit or a major commercial case — must register with the Attorney General before doing business here. For the first time, Ohio will know who these companies are, who leads them, and whether they are complying with our laws. No more hidden actors or anonymous capital influencing litigation from behind the curtain. The Attorney General will finally have the authority needed to hold these funders accountable. Real, enforceable consumer protections. Individuals seeking litigation funding are often in stressful, vulnerable situations. They deserve fairness, clarity, and transparency. Under HB 105, contracts must be fully completed and clearly disclose the amount funded, all fees, how those fees accrue, and the maximum amount a consumer could owe. Consumers get 10 business days to cancel with no penalty. Attorneys must confirm their client understands the agreement and that no improper referral payments were involved. If a company violates these protections, the contract becomes unenforceable and is treated as an unfair or deceptive act under the Consumer Sales Practices Act. An outright ban on foreign involvement in litigation funding. Across the country, foreign entities have attempted to influence American courts by financing lawsuits that advance their own economic or geopolitical interests. Ohio is drawing a bright line: foreign governments, foreign corporations, and foreign investors may not fund litigation in our state. Period. Our courts belong to the people of Ohio — not to outside actors seeking to shape outcomes for their own gain. After a year of hard work and negotiations, I am incredibly proud of this legislation and look forward to working with the Senate to get it across the finish line.

H.B. 324 – The Patient Protection Act

H.B. 324 also passed the House, marking a major step forward in protecting patients as healthcare delivery becomes increasingly digital. This bill, which I co-sponsored with Rep. Adam Mathews, ensures that when Ohioans are prescribed high-risk medications — defined as those with at least a 5% chance of severe adverse effects — they receive the level of care and oversight such medications demand.

Under H.B. 324:

• Patients must receive an in-person evaluation with their prescriber before being given a high-risk medication. Severe adverse effects, as defined in the bill, include death, infection requiring hospitalization, hemorrhaging requiring hospitalization, organ failure, or sepsis.
• Providers must schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure patients are responding safely and to catch any warning signs early.
• The Director of Health must maintain a public, regularly updated list of medications with severe adverse-effect rates of 5% or greater. This list will be created in coordination with the Department of Insurance, the Board of Pharmacy, and the State Medical Board, using insurance claims, patient self-reports, and FDA guidance.

Some argue that these safeguards restrict access to care. In truth, they strengthen it. Healthcare access without safety is not access to quality care. As the distance between patient and prescriber grows in an increasingly digital world, our responsibility to ensure safe, responsible prescribing grows with it. The more serious the medication, the more essential it is that patients clearly understand the risks—and that providers remain accountable for monitoring them.

H.B. 324 puts patients first by ensuring they receive thoughtful, informed, and safe care at every step of the process.

H.B. 476 – Supporting Nonprofits Through Online Raffles

House Bill 476 passed unanimously out of the House — bringing long-overdue clarity to an issue that has affected nonprofits across Ohio. For years, charitable organizations, schools, and community groups have used online raffle ticket sales as an essential fundraising method. As the world has moved further into the digital age, these groups adapted right along with it.

But recently, three Ohio fire departments received cease-and-desist letters from the Attorney General stating that online raffle ticket sales were not permitted under current law. The news spread quickly, and I began receiving calls from constituents deeply worried that a major source of local fundraising would be shut down. I’m especially grateful to Dalton Police Chief Eric McFarren and Brock Yoder of the Wayne County Dog Shelter for raising this issue.

This bill, which I co-sponsored with Rep. David Thomas, legalizes the sale of online raffle tickets, ensuring nonprofits can continue raising funds in the modern, digital ways they’ve come to rely on—without fear of legal repercussions. Importantly, this bill does not open the door to online gaming. It simply affirms what organizations have already been doing for years: selling raffle tickets online while maintaining the community-centered spirit of fundraising, including an in-person component for traditional raffles.

H.B. 476 also includes responsible safeguards:

• Compliance with state and federal restrictions on out-of-state ticket sales
• Prohibitions on sales to anyone under age 18

These are commonsense guardrails that protect our communities while ensuring nonprofit fundraising can continue uninterrupted.

Celebrating Smithville’s Own Kaitlyn Carr

On a very busy session day, the absolute highlight was recognizing three-time State Champion Kaitlyn Carr! As a fellow Smithie, I’m especially proud to celebrate one of our own, someone who embodies the grit, drive, and excellence that defines Smithville.

Huge congrats, Kaitlyn! Your school and your community are cheering you on.

A Strong First Year at the Statehouse

As my first year in office ends, I’m proud to share that six of my bills have passed the Ohio House. Working with constituents on these initiatives has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to collaborating with our Senate colleagues in the new year to see them become law. Thank you for your trust and support — it’s what makes this work possible

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It has been a productive year serving in my first term. With the 2025 legislative calendar ending, I’m home for the holidays! I am looking forward to seeing you around the district, and I am excited to continue serving you in 2026.

This holiday season, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to serve you these past 11 months. Your trust, encouragement, and support mean the world to me.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!