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Wayne County, As we’ve turned the calendar to a new year, I hope you are staying safe and warm this winter. January was a busy and productive month, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you, building on the great work we accomplished last year and continuing to move our district and state forward. This past month has been full of meaningful work and community engagement, and I’m excited to share several updates with you.   Sincerely, State Representative Meredith Craig

Important Property Tax Update

At the end of December, Governor DeWine signed five major property tax reforms led by the Ohio House to provide relief for homeowners across our state. I recently recorded a short video explaining what these changes mean for you and your family.

One important note to be aware of: if you pay your property taxes annually, you should only pay the first half this year. In July, eligible homeowners in school districts below the 20-mill floor will receive a credit on their tax bill.

I encourage you to watch the video for a full breakdown of the reforms. And if you have questions or want to know how this may apply to your situation, please don’t hesitate to contact my office - we’re always happy to help. You can email Rep77@ohiohouse.gov or call (614) 466-1474.

Protecting Families and Taxpayer Dollars

Recent reports of a massive fraud scheme uncovered in Minnesota raised serious red flags nationwide and prompted important questions here in Ohio. After learning more about those findings and hearing growing concerns from constituents, I joined my colleagues in taking proactive steps to ensure similar abuse is not occurring in our state.

Together, members of the Ohio House formally requested that the Ohio Auditor of State, Keith Faber, investigate potential fraud and abuse involving publicly funded childcare and home health care agencies. These programs serve some of our most vulnerable populations and Ohioans deserve confidence that their tax dollars are being used lawfully, ethically, and as intended.

In addition, I signed onto a separate letter urging the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to increase unannounced inspections of childcare facilities receiving public funds. Reports alleging that some providers may be billing the state for children who are not actually in attendance are deeply concerning. Increased inspections, stronger auditing of attendance records, and swift action when fraud is identified are essential to maintaining the integrity of these programs and protecting families who rely on them.

While the majority of childcare and home health care providers do the right thing every day, and their work is critical to our communities, it is our responsibility to ensure they are being held accountable. These requests are not about casting blame - it’s about transparency, accountability, and ensuring bad actors do not undermine programs designed to help Ohio families thrive.

I will continue working to make sure public resources are protected, oversight is strengthened, and Ohioans can trust that state programs are operating with integrity.

Several bills have and will be introduced to strengthen oversight and I will keep you updated as this process moves forward.

House Bill 609: Ensuring Your Voice Is Heard

I recently joined State Representative David Thomas in introducing House Bill 609, legislation designed to protect the public’s right to be heard at public meetings. This bill responds to a concerning trend we’ve seen across Ohio, where some local governments have moved to restrict or eliminate public comment altogether.

Public meetings should be exactly that - public. House Bill 609 would require public comment at public meetings, ensuring citizens always have a seat at the table and a voice in the decisions that directly affect their communities. Open government and transparency are fundamental to a healthy democracy, and this legislation reinforces those principles.

As this bill moves through the legislative process, we are actively working with stakeholders to strengthen the draft and address feedback. We anticipate introducing a substitute bill during its first hearing in the House General Government Committee to ensure the legislation is clear, balanced, and effective.

To learn more about House Bill 609 and track its progress, click here: https://ohiohouse.gov/legislation/136/hb609

Welcoming Kingsway Students to the Statehouse

I was proud to welcome Kingsway Christian School’s 11th grade American Government class to the Statehouse! Visiting with students has quickly become my favorite part of the job. I love answering their thoughtful questions and sharing the many exciting and meaningful career paths available in public service. Ohio’s future is bright, and it’s inspiring to see it firsthand.

Standing Strong Against Human Trafficking

January is recognized as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, supporting survivors, and strengthening efforts to stop this horrific crime. Human trafficking remains a serious issue across the country and here in Ohio, and it is critical that we continue working to protect vulnerable individuals and hold offenders accountable.

I was proud to cosponsor and support House Bill 47, led by State Representatives Nick Santucci and Josh Williams, which significantly strengthens penalties for human traffickers. This legislation increases criminal penalties to as much as 15 years to life in prison, ensuring those who exploit and victimize others face serious consequences for their actions.

House Bill 47 sends a clear and powerful message: human trafficking has no place in Ohio.

I remain committed to working with my colleagues, law enforcement, and community partners to combat human trafficking, protect victims, and keep our communities safe.

Cooking Up Skills for the Future

I loved spending time with the talented culinary students at the Wayne County Schools Career Center High School. We baked my famous oatmeal cream pies, quickly becoming a staple for visitors to my Columbus office, and shared some great conversation along the way. It’s inspiring to see students building real-world skills that will serve them well long after graduation, and I’m proud of the hard work they’re putting in every day.

Wayne County Leadership on Display

I had a great time attending the 101st Annual Ohio Fairs Convention alongside Commissioner Matt Martin and a strong contingent from the Wayne County Fair. It was especially exciting to see Tom Stocksdale in action. Tom is serving as interim president of the Ohio Fair Managers Association, a well-deserved honor that reflects the strong leadership coming out of Wayne County.

We have the best county fair in the state!

Fighting for the Future of Rural Healthcare

For the past year, one of my top priorities has been fighting for our local hospital. Wooster Community Hospital is one of our largest employers and a critical source of care for thousands of families, and its success is essential to both our county’s health and economic well-being.

Recently, Wooster Community Hospital CEO Scott Boyes and I had the opportunity to speak with The Columbus Dispatch about the future of rural healthcare and the importance of the federal Rural Health Transformation Fund. That conversation highlighted the unique challenges rural hospitals face and why targeted investment is critical to keeping high-quality care close to home.

You can read more here!

When rural, independent hospitals are absorbed by large urban health systems, communities often see services reduced and costs increase. Preserving local control helps ensure care remains accessible, affordable, and focused on patient needs.

The House Rural Hospital Caucus continues to meet with the Governor’s Administration regarding the $202 million allocated to Ohio to support rural healthcare. We will keep fighting to ensure these funds are used as intended - to truly transform and strengthen rural healthcare systems across our state.

Protecting access to quality healthcare in rural Ohio is essential. I remain committed to advocating for policies and funding that support our hospitals, our healthcare workers, and the families who depend on them every day.

Supporting Families Through Community Partnerships

I was grateful to join the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank team for a pop-up food pantry at the Wayne County Health Department, where nearly 130 families were served despite the cold weather. This event was a powerful reminder of the real need that exists in our community. I’m encouraged by the Foodbank’s continued investment in Wayne County and look forward to the impact of the programs and services that will soon be offered from the donated Smucker’s store. Thank you to the volunteers and partners who make this possible.

Championing Adaptive Sports in Ohio

I was thrilled to see the Wooster Generals Wheelchair Basketball team earn a big win over the Cloverleaf Colts. It’s always inspiring to witness firsthand the incredible impact Adaptive Sports Ohio has in our community and across the state.

I’m grateful to have helped secure funding for Adaptive Sports Ohio in the state budget this past year, and... stay tuned! I will be introducing a bill to address long-term funding and to crack down on handicap parking abuse.

Message from the House: Public Service in Action

On this episode of Message from the House, I share my story and how my background shapes the work I do at the Statehouse. From what led me to pursue public service to the key issues I’m leading on today, it was a fun conversation to have, and I hope you’ll take a listen! Tune in on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Supporting Ohio Agriculture

I had the opportunity to attend the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Buckeye Summit alongside House Agriculture Chair, State Representative Roy Klopfenstein. It was a pleasure to host this event at our own Ohio State ATI campus and welcome cattlemen and women from across Ohio to Wayne County.

Ohio’s agriculture community plays a vital role in our state’s economy and way of life, and gatherings like this provide an important opportunity to connect, share ideas, and discuss the future of the industry. I’m proud to support our farmers and producers and grateful to showcase Wayne County as a hub for agriculture and innovation.

Investing in School Bus Safety

Through the state operating budget, the Legislature created the Ohio School Bus Safety Grant Program and dedicated $10 million statewide to help school districts offset the cost of upgrading school buses with modern safety equipment. The program’s flexible guidelines allow each district to use the funding in the way that best meets their local needs - whether that means equipping new buses or adding safety technology to buses already on the road.

I’m pleased to share that several local school districts here in Wayne County were recently awarded funding, bringing more than $195,000 back to our community to help keep students safe.

Local awardees include:

• Chippewa Local Schools – $20,927
• Dalton Local Schools – $14,183
• Green Local Schools – $6,980
• Norwayne Local Schools – $50,187
• Orrville City Schools – $18,154
• Rittman Exempted Village Schools – $13,803
• Waynedale Local Schools – $24,437
• Wooster City Schools – $46,553

Every school district that applied for eligible assistance received an award, ensuring broad support for student safety across our county.

Learn more about the Ohio School Bus Safety Grant Program here.

Talking Infrastructure with Ohio’s Engineering Leaders

I recently appreciated the opportunity to meet with the ACEC Ohio Northeast Chapter (American Council of Engineering Companies) alongside my colleagues, Representatives Bill Roemer, Sean Brennan, and Bride Rose Sweeney.

We had a productive discussion about the challenges facing Ohio’s infrastructure and the practical, commonsense ways we can work together to address them. These conversations are critical as we look for solutions that strengthen roads, bridges, and public works across our communities.

It was also great to hear that many of the engineers in attendance know and work closely with our very own Wayne County Engineer’s Office.

Main Street Wooster Annual Meeting Highlights

It was wonderful to attend the Main Street Wooster Annual Meeting and see such strong community support for downtown Wooster. I was thrilled to celebrate this year’s award winners, including the Lyric Theater of Wooster, Friendtique, SUNNY Boutique, Olive Lane Oils and Vinegars, Final Fridays, and the Ivory Room Wooster. Congratulations to all for their contributions to making downtown Wooster vibrant and welcoming!