Wayne County,
As we dive into the final two weeks of the legislative session before summer recess, I wanted to take a moment to share an update on what has been a very busy and productive month. Between legislative work in Columbus, traveling for meetings and events, and spending time in the District, it has been a privilege to connect with residents, local leaders, businesses, and community organizations.
I am excited to finish strong as we wrap up session and continue advancing policies that support our communities and strengthen Ohio's future. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or would like to schedule a meeting. My office can be reached at Rep77@ohiohouse.gov or (614) 466-1474.
Sincerely,
State Representative Meredith Craig
|
Meeting with CVS Health Leadership in Wooster
Early in the month, I had the opportunity to visit CVS Health in Wooster and meet with members of their team to discuss the important role they play in serving Wayne County and the surrounding region. Our conversation focused on the impact local pharmacies have on healthcare access, patient services, and community health. I appreciate the team's commitment to providing quality care and look forward to continuing discussions on ways we can support healthcare providers and improve outcomes for Ohio families.
Walking for Mental Wellness with NAMI
 May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and highlight the importance of mental wellness in our communities. I was honored to participate in the NAMI Wayne & Holmes Counties Walk for Wellness alongside Wayne County Commissioners Jon Hofstetter and Matt Martin, as well as Mental Health & Recovery Board Executive Director Nicole Williams.
Learn more about NAMI Services.
Visiting Amgen's State-of-the-Art Ohio Facility
 Representative Kellie Deeter and I had the opportunity to visit the Amgen manufacturing facility in New Albany, one of the most advanced biotechnology facilities in the country. During the visit, we met with company leaders and learned more about the important role the facility plays in producing and delivering life-saving medicines to patients across the United States and around the world.
Amgen's Ohio facility specializes in the final assembly and packaging of biopharmaceutical products, including medications delivered through syringes, vials, and autoinjectors. The nearly 300,000-square-foot facility utilizes cutting-edge technology and advanced manufacturing processes to ensure patients receive safe, reliable medicines every day. The facility currently employs hundreds of Ohioans and has become a key part of the state's growing life sciences and advanced manufacturing sector.
Celebrating the New South Central Fire Station
I was honored to attend and speak at the Grand Opening of the new South Central Fire Station.
This remarkable project stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when a community comes together around a shared goal. The new station was built entirely through community support and private donations, without the use of taxpayer dollars, demonstrating the tremendous appreciation residents have for the first responders who serve and protect them every day.
 Congratulations to Chief Martell, Assistant Chief McKelvey, and the entire South Central Fire District family on this incredible achievement. It was inspiring to see the community's support on full display and celebrate this milestone together.
Norwayne Students Visit the Statehouse
 One of the highlights of the month was getting to meet with students from Norwayne High School during their visit to the Ohio Statehouse. Senator Al Landis and I had a great time talking with the students, answering their questions, and sharing a little about what life is like in the legislature.
Thank you to Norwayne teacher, Lance Larrison, for organizing the trip to Columbus. We loved having you at the Statehouse and hope you enjoyed your day as much as we did!
Meeting with Mike Mariola & Ohio Restaurant Leaders
 I enjoyed meeting with members of the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance, including representatives from Mike Mariola Restaurants, to discuss issues impacting Ohio's restaurant industry.
We had a productive conversation about workforce challenges, employee retention, and the importance of making health insurance more affordable for both employers and employees. Hearing directly from job creators helps ensure we are advancing policies that support Ohio businesses and workers.
Vintage Baseball on the Statehouse Lawn!
 I joined my colleagues on the Statehouse lawn for a fun vintage baseball game against The Ohio Village Muffins.
While the final score wasn’t in our favor, we had plenty of friendly competition, good-natured trash talk, and a chance to dust off some long-forgotten softball skills. It was a great reminder that even at the Statehouse, there’s always time for a little fun and camaraderie.
Supporting Ohio Small Businesses
 I was glad to stop by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) advocacy breakfast and spend time connecting with small business owners from across Ohio.
Thank you to NFIB for hosting the event and to Oscar Health for sponsoring it. NFIB members spent the day at the Statehouse advocating for the passage of two bills I am proud to sponsor: H.B. 133, which provides a tax credit for small businesses that offer Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), and HB 105, which increases transparency in third-party litigation funding. I appreciate their advocacy and continued engagement in the legislative process.
Back-to-Back Sponsor Testimony in the Ohio Senate
I had the opportunity to provide sponsor testimony on two important pieces of legislation during back-to-back Senate committee hearings in the Judiciary Committee and the Health Committee.
In the Judiciary Committee, I testified on HB 105, which increases transparency around third-party litigation funding. This bill is aimed at bringing greater clarity to legal proceedings by requiring disclosure when outside entities financially invest in lawsuits, helping ensure fairness and accountability in our courts.
Immediately following, I presented sponsor testimony in the Health Committee on HB 324, the Patient Protection Act. This legislation strengthens oversight of certain high-risk drugs that have been associated with severe adverse effects, helping improve patient safety and ensure more robust monitoring of these substances.
It was a busy morning at the Statehouse, but both hearings provided an important opportunity to advance legislation focused on transparency, accountability, and protecting Ohioans.
 You can find my sponsor testimony on HB 105 here: Judiciary Committee Committee Meeting - May 13, 2026 | Ohio Senate.
You can find my sponsor testimony on HB 324 here: Health Committee Committee Meeting - May 13, 2026 | Ohio Senate.
Supporting Ohio’s Community Banks
 I was pleased to meet with community bankers from across Ohio as part of Community Banks Advocacy Day at the Statehouse. I was glad Matt Miller of Killbuck Savings Bank could join the group, bringing a great local perspective and a familiar face from right here in our region. Community banks like Killbuck Savings are often at the heart of our local economies, and it was great to hear directly from those working every day to help Ohioans access credit, grow their businesses, and invest in their future.
Celebrating State Champion Kayla Moroschan!
 Another state champion in the House! I had the honor of recognizing Chippewa High School junior Kayla Moroschan for capturing her second OHSAA State Wrestling Championship.
Kayla’s hard work, discipline, and determination have clearly paid off, and it’s incredible to see her achieve this level of success twice! Congratulations to Kayla, her coaches, teammates, and the entire Chippewa community on this outstanding accomplishment. Go Chipps!
Celebrating Success at Goodwill
 I was honored to attend the Annual Impact Breakfast for Goodwill Industries of Wayne & Holmes Counties and present commendations from the Ohio House of Representatives to this year’s outstanding award recipients.
- Romich Foundation Makerspace – Impact Partner of the Year
- Jennifer Mathys – Employee of the Year
- Chloe Adkins – Youth of the Year
- Christian Wigsmoen – President’s Award
- William Parrish & Marie Bryant – Graduates of the Year
A great reminder of the important work being done every day to help individuals build brighter futures in our community!
Celebrating 100 Years of Buchwalter Greenhouse
 I was honored to present a resolution on behalf of the Ohio House of Representatives recognizing Buchwalter Greenhouse for an incredible milestone — 100 years in business.
This longtime family-owned business is a true local treasure, known not only for its beautiful flowers but also for its deep roots in the community. It was a pleasure to celebrate this achievement with such a wonderful family and recognize a century of hard work, dedication, and growth.
Congratulations to Buchwalter Greenhouse on 100 years of success!
Engaging with Local Realtors on Housing and Tax Policy
I was glad to attend and speak at the Wayne-Holmes Realtors Association meeting in Fredericksburg alongside my colleague, Rep. Mark Hiner. It was a great opportunity to connect with local real estate professionals who are on the front lines of Ohio’s housing market.
We had a productive discussion about property tax reform and other key issues impacting housing affordability, inventory, and development in our region.
Thank you to the Wayne-Holmes Realtors Association for hosting us and for the important work you do in our communities.
A Conversation on the Best of Wooster Podcast
I had the opportunity to sit down with Seth Scrimo on his Best of Wooster podcast for a great conversation about my journey in public service.
We talked about what first inspired me to get involved, the experiences that have shaped my work in the Ohio House, and the importance of staying connected to the people and communities I serve. It was a relaxed and enjoyable discussion, and I appreciated the chance to reflect on the path that brought me here and the work still ahead.
Thank you to Seth for having me on the show and for highlighting local voices and stories here in Wooster.
Welcoming Central Christian School Students to the Statehouse
 I had a great time visiting with students from Central Christian School! We talked about what a typical day looks like for a State Representative and what happens at the Statehouse.
Always enjoy spending time with students and seeing them engaged and curious! Thank you to the students, teachers, and chaperones from Central Christian School for making the trip to Columbus.
Strengthening Protections for Ohio Homeowners
 I joined my joint sponsor, Rep. Matthew Kishman, in providing sponsor testimony before the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee on House Bill 769, legislation aimed at strengthening consumer protections for Ohio homeowners seeking roof repairs and navigating insurance claims after severe weather events.
H.B. 769 establishes clearer standards for roofing contracts, improves transparency requirements, and adds safeguards against deceptive business practices that can emerge in the aftermath of storms. The bill also prohibits contractors from advertising deductible waivers or improperly acting as insurance adjusters, while still preserving homeowners’ ability to receive legitimate estimates and professional opinions.
As I shared in testimony, insurance fraud ultimately raises costs for everyone. This legislation creates commonsense protections that support honest contractors, help preserve affordability, and ensure Ohio homeowners are not taken advantage of during vulnerable moments.
The bill includes requirements for written contracts, a three-day consumer cancellation period, limits on excessive upfront deposits, and enforcement provisions under Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act.
I appreciate the thoughtful feedback from stakeholders, including the Ohio Insurance Agents Association and Ohio Insurance Institute, and look forward to continuing work on this important consumer protection effort.
Welcoming Judge VanSickle to the Statehouse
 The Ohio Judicial Conference sponsors the Legislative-Judicial Exchange each year, and judges get the opportunity to shadow an Ohio State Representative. I had the privilege of hosting our very own Common Pleas Judge, Tim VanSickle.
He got a firsthand look at the fast pace and chaos of a typical committee and session day — including attending two Senate committee hearings where two of my bills received proponent testimony, listening to sponsor testimony on another one of my bills in the House, sitting in on meetings throughout the day, and finishing things off with House session.
It was a fun day filled with good conversation, plenty of coffee breaks, and a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process.
Contributing to the National Conversation on ICHRA Policy
 I was glad to be in Indianapolis attending Remodel Health’s AIM Conference, where leaders from across the country gathered to discuss the state and federal policy forces shaping the future of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs).
 I joined Cathy Grason of Oscar Health for a panel conversation on how policymakers and industry leaders can work together to expand affordable, flexible healthcare options for both employers and employees. These innovative models have the potential to give small businesses more control while helping workers access coverage that better fits their needs.
I’m proud to be leading efforts in Ohio and nationwide to advance solutions that increase choice, improve affordability, and strengthen our health insurance marketplace for working families and job creators alike.
Honoring Memorial Day in Smithville and Marshallville
 This Memorial Day, I had the honor of spending the morning at the Smithville Memorial Day parade and ceremony before traveling to Marshallville, where I served as the featured speaker for their Memorial Day observance.
It was a meaningful day of remembrance and reflection as our communities came together to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We also recognized the families who continue to carry the weight of that sacrifice every day.
Memorial Day is not about the start of summer or backyard barbecues. It is a solemn reminder of the cost of the freedoms we enjoy. I am grateful for the opportunity to join both communities in paying tribute to our fallen heroes.
May we continue to honor their sacrifice not only with words, but by living in a way that reflects unity, courage, and service to others.
Strengthening Oversight in Ohio’s Medicaid Program
As a member of the Ohio House Medicaid Committee, I am actively engaged in addressing Medicaid fraud in home-health care that was recently brought to light by the Ohio Auditor. Protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring that Medicaid resources are directed to those who truly need and rely on the program is a responsibility I take seriously.
Even during last spring’s state budget process, I submitted more than a dozen amendments related to Medicaid reform and oversight. This has been an issue I have been consistently focused on, and I remain committed to strengthening the program to improve accountability and integrity.
The Ohio House remains committed to advancing legislation that strengthens oversight, improves accountability, and tightens safeguards throughout the Medicaid system. These efforts are designed to reduce fraud, enhance program integrity, and ensure that vulnerable Ohioans continue to receive the care and services they depend on.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to reach out to my office.
You can also watch the full committee hearings and review testimony here: Ohio House Medicaid Committee Hearings and Medicaid Committee Meetings | Ohio House of Representatives.
|
