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Wayne County, As August ends and summer begins to wind down, I want to wish all of our students, teachers, and families a great start to the new school year. I hope everyone has a safe and successful year ahead. Before we know it, it will be time for one of my favorite Wayne County traditions – the Wayne County Fair, September 12–17! I’ll be there every day, so if you see me, please come say hello. August was filled with district meetings and opportunities to connect with organizations and residents across Wayne County. As always, if there is something my office can help with or if you would like to sit down for a one-on-one meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at Rep77@ohiohouse.gov or (614) 466-1474. I’m always happy to hear from you and help however I can. Sincerely, State Representative Meredith Craig

Supporting Ohio’s Children

I was glad to join Groundwork Ohio’s Roadshow during its first stop in Wayne and Holmes counties, hosted in partnership with United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties.

The day brought together families, childcare providers, employers, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates for important conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing Ohio’s youngest children and their families. We discussed the impact of childcare, housing, transportation, and other family supports on working families across our communities.

I had the opportunity to participate in an advocacy panel alongside Lynanne Gutierrez from Groundwork Ohio, Bonnie Hall from West View Healthy Living, and Katie Koglman from United Way. Followed by a visit to the YMCA of Wayne and Holmes Counties’ childcare center in Millersburg, which is the only licensed childcare center in Holmes County.

These conversations are important as we work to ensure Ohio remains a place where families can thrive and children have the opportunity to succeed.

Welcoming Wooster Illumination

I was proud to celebrate the grand opening of Wooster Illumination!

Congratulations to the entire Wooster Illumination team on this exciting milestone. Their new showroom gives homeowners, builders, and designers the opportunity to explore quality lighting solutions that combine beauty, function, and style.

We’re excited to welcome this business to Wooster and look forward to watching them continue to grow and succeed right here in Wayne County!

Battle for the Bacon

What happens when you put Ohio lawmakers in the show ring alongside talented 4-H and FFA exhibitors? You get the Battle for the Bacon!

I was proud to serve as a judge for the 4th Annual Battle for the Bacon at the Ohio State Fair. This fun event, hosted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio Pig Farmers, pairs state legislators and agency officials with 4-H and FFA youth for a friendly pig showmanship competition.

Beyond the competition, it was a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and agricultural skills of Ohio’s young people. As someone who grew up showing livestock through 4-H, I know firsthand the lessons and values these programs instill in our youth.

Congratulations to all the exhibitors and competitors, and a special congratulations to Grand Champion State Senator Michele Reynolds, Reserve Champion Representative Johnathan Newman, and Bacon Boss ODA Director Brian Baldridge.

Celebrating 25 Years of NAMI Wayne & Holmes Counties

I was excited to stop by NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties to present a commendation recognizing 25 years of serving individuals and families throughout our community.

For a quarter century, NAMI Wayne & Holmes Counties has been providing a place of support, education, and hope for those affected by mental health challenges. Their work includes peer support through MOCA House, family support and education, suicide prevention and awareness, and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement. Their programs are provided free of charge to those they serve.

Mental health affects families in every community, and organizations like NAMI play an important role in making sure people don't have to navigate those challenges alone. I’m grateful for the staff, volunteers, and advocates who have dedicated the last 25 years to strengthening mental health support across Wayne and Holmes Counties.

Learn more here: Services

Visiting the Wayne County Job and Family Services

It was great to spend time with the team at Wayne County Job & Family Services and learn more about the important work they’re doing to support families across our community.

I also appreciated the opportunity to hear about their efforts to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and that resources reach the people who need them most.

Thank you to Director Lisa Gunnels and the entire team for your continued service to Wayne County!

Riding Along with the Adult Parole Authority

I had the opportunity to spend the day with Wayne County Parole Officer Jason Marks to learn more about the Adult Parole Authority within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the important work being done right here in our community.

Seeing this work firsthand provided valuable insight into the role parole officers play in holding offenders accountable, supporting successful reentry, and helping keep our communities safe. Their job requires balancing accountability with helping individuals successfully transition back into their communities.

Thank you to Jason and the entire Adult Parole Authority team for taking the time to show me the work you do every day. I appreciate your service and commitment to public safety in Wayne County and communities across Ohio.

Wayne County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

I was glad to attend the Wayne County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and spend time with the farmers, members, and leaders who are on the ground every day working to support Ohio agriculture and our rural communities.

As a legislator, I rely heavily on the perspective of our local Farm Bureau on issues affecting agriculture. These are the people who are actually out in the fields, raising livestock, running businesses, and experiencing firsthand the challenges facing our rural communities. Their insight and opinions are invaluable as I work to make informed decisions at the Statehouse.

We truly have some of the best Farm Bureau leadership in the state right here in Wayne County. Thank you, Kevin Ungerer, for your service and leadership as President. Your dedication to our agricultural community is greatly appreciated.

And congratulations to Olivia Lang on taking the gavel! I look forward to working with you and the entire Wayne County Farm Bureau as we continue advocating for the farmers and families who make our community so strong.

Touring the 179^th Cyber Wing in Mansfield

It was an honor to tour the 179th Cyber Wing in Mansfield with members of the House Veterans and Military Development Committee, including Chairwoman Tracy Richardson, Vice Chairman Ty Mathews, and Majority Floor Leader Marilyn John.

As the nation’s first Air National Guard Cyberspace Wing, the 179th plays a critical role in protecting our nation and strengthening our cybersecurity. It was great to see firsthand the important work happening right next door to our county and learn more about the mission of the men and women who serve there.

Thank you to the men and women of the 179th for your service, dedication, and commitment to protecting our country.

New Pickleball Courts in Smithville

It was great to celebrate the ribbon-cutting for the new Smithville Pickleball Courts! This is a great addition to our community, providing residents of all ages with another place to stay active, have fun, and connect with one another.

It was great to hear from Councilman Matt Haas about the future plans for the park and the exciting new park planned for the site of the former elementary school. The plans include a new splash pad that has been funded entirely through private donations, a great example of what can happen when a community comes together to invest in its future.

I’m excited to see these projects continue to take shape and create even more opportunities for families to enjoy our community. Congratulations to everyone who helped make the new pickleball courts a reality!

Supporting Ohio’s Restaurant Industry

I recently had the opportunity to stop by Mariola Italian to spend time with Mike Mariola and members of the Ohio Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance. It was a great chance to learn more about Mike’s story, his experience in the restaurant industry, and the realities facing restaurant owners and operators today.

We discussed both the opportunities and challenges that come with running a restaurant, including the hurdles businesses continue to face and the ways COVID-19 permanently changed the industry. These conversations are important as we work to understand what our local businesses need to continue growing and creating jobs in our communities.

It has been great getting to know Mike better. We are fortunate to have someone in our community who is so dedicated to producing a quality product and creating a place where families and friends can come together around the dinner table. Next time I stop by for a meeting… we are making pizza!

Honored by the Wayne County Fair

I was completely surprised and incredibly honored to receive an award of recognition from the Wayne County Fair during its Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

I’m proud to have helped secure more than $314,000 for five different projects at the fairgrounds, including improvements to lighting, paving, roofing, and other important infrastructure.

But receiving this recognition meant far more to me than any other award I’ve received. The Wayne County Fair holds a very special place in my heart. Growing up, 4-H and the county fair were a huge part of my life. The lessons I learned there – hard work, responsibility, perseverance, and the importance of community – helped shape me into the woman I am today.

To be recognized by the people and organization that played such an important role in my upbringing was truly one of the most meaningful and exciting awards I have ever received.

Thank you to the Wayne County Fair Board, volunteers, exhibitors, families, and everyone who makes this tradition possible year after year. I’m incredibly proud to support the fair and will continue doing everything I can to make sure it remains a cornerstone of our community for generations to come.

State Awards $750,000 for City of Wooster

I am excited to announce that the City of Wooster has been awarded $750,000 through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in our community.

The funding will help construct 1.25 miles of shared-use path connecting Venture Boulevard and Silver Road at the new Clear Creek Run Neighborhood. This project will provide residents with a safer way to walk and bike while creating better connections between neighborhoods and the surrounding community.

Investments like this are important as Wooster continues to grow. Improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure not only enhances safety but also helps create more connected communities and supports continued development.

Wooster was one of 17 projects selected to receive funding from a total of $21 million awarded through the program. TAP supports projects that improve transportation options, pedestrian and bicycle access, community connectivity, and other local infrastructure needs.

Congratulations to all those involved from the City of Wooster for securing this funding!

Legislative Update

Leading on Innovative Health Insurance Options

I was honored to speak alongside Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) Director Peter Nelson at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Conference in Columbus. We discussed individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs) and the importance of giving individuals and small businesses more choice and flexibility in their health insurance.

Peter helped craft the federal regulations establishing ICHRAs during the first Trump Administration, so it was especially meaningful to join him in discussing how states can encourage more small businesses to use ICHRAs and help strengthen a competitive, consumer-driven health insurance market.

The Ohio House passed my bill, HB 133, in June 2025. Unfortunately, it has stalled in the Ohio Senate. We continue to push the Senate staff and members on how we can prioritize this when we return in November. Employers and employees are asking for healthcare solutions, and it is our job to deliver them. HB 133 would create a tax incentive for small businesses to offer health insurance benefits that they likely don’t offer already. It is a fiscally smart approach that supports not only our businesses, but the constituents we serve.

I’m proud to keep working toward a healthcare system that offers Ohioans more choice, flexibility, and affordability.

Discussing the Rising Cost of Healthcare

I was pleased to participate in a panel discussion hosted by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio focused on one of the most pressing issues facing families and businesses today: the rising cost of health care.

I joined Representative Rachel Baker, Molly Mottram, Director of Healthcare Policy for the Ohio Chamber, and Brian O’Rourke, PhD, MA, Healthcare Policy Analyst with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, for a conversation about the factors driving healthcare spending in Ohio and across the country.

We discussed approaches being considered and implemented, including greater price transparency, addressing consolidation in the health care market, and other efforts to make the system more affordable and sustainable.

Specifically, we discussed all of the following, which I have or had a role in:

HB 133 — Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements sponsored by Rep. Meredith Craig

HB 133 helps small businesses provide affordable health coverage by creating a state income tax credit for employers that offer their employees an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). An ICHRA allows an employer to contribute a set amount toward an employee’s individual health coverage and medical expenses, giving employees more flexibility in choosing coverage that works for them. The bill also prohibits certain insurance practices designed to steer individuals away from employer-provided coverage.

• Why it matters: Small businesses often struggle with the rising cost of traditional group health insurance. HB 133 gives employers another option to help their employees afford coverage while encouraging competition and consumer choice. It is an approach focused on making coverage more accessible without simply adding another government mandate.
• You can learn more about HB 133 here: House Bill 133 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives.

HB 682 — Ensuring Timely Access to Critical Medications sponsored by Reps. Meredith Craig & Gayle Manning

HB 682 is a targeted insurance reform designed solely to protect timely access to medically necessary treatment. It represents a thoughtful balance between cost management and patient safety. It supports community providers, protects vulnerable patients, and helps ensure Ohioans can remain in the workforce and maintain stability in their daily lives while undergoing serious treatment.

• Why it matters: For patients with serious or complex conditions, the ability to receive a medication from the physician who is treating them can be critical. HB 682 aims to prevent insurance practices from creating unnecessary barriers between patients and their providers and to ensure decisions about these medications are focused on patient care, while maintaining cost-effective tools.
• You can learn more about HB 682 here: House Bill 682 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives.

HB 709 — Expanding Access to Mental Health Care Through Telehealth sponsored by Reps. Karen Brownlee & Meredith Craig

HB 709 requires private insurers to cover telehealth mental health services if that same service is covered in-person.

• Why it matters: Telehealth can be particularly valuable for Ohioans who live in rural communities or face transportation, scheduling, or provider shortages. By ensuring patients can access mental health care virtually without being treated differently by their insurance, HB 709 helps remove barriers to care and gives patients another way to connect with a provider.
• You can learn more about HB 709 here: House Bill 709 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives.

HB 716 — Creating an All-Payer Claims Database (Enacted in Senate Bill 315, the Medicaid FWA bill) sponsored by Reps. Meredith Craig & Kellie Deeter

HB 716 would establish an all-payer claims database within the Ohio Department of Insurance. Health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and Medicaid and Medicare would submit claims information, creating a comprehensive picture of health care utilization and spending across Ohio.

• Why it matters: We cannot effectively address rising health care costs if we do not have a clear picture of what is driving those costs. HB 716 is about transparency and data. By bringing claims information together, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders can better identify cost drivers, compare prices and outcomes, and make more informed decisions about how to improve affordability and access.
• You can learn more about HB 716 here: House Bill 716 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives.

HB 229 — Increasing Transparency and Accountability for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (Enacted) sponsored by Rep. Kellie Deeter

HB 229 establishes a standalone licensing process for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and increases transparency around the financial arrangements between PBMs and health plans. Among other provisions, the bill requires PBMs to account to plan sponsors for discounts, rebates, fees, credits, and other payments and requires disclosure of certain contractual arrangements and potential conflicts of interest. It also establishes fiduciary duties for PBMs in their relationships with insurers.

• Why it matters: PBMs play a significant role in determining how prescription drugs are priced and reimbursed, yet much of the money moving through the system can be difficult for employers and consumers to see. HB 229 brings greater transparency and accountability to that process, with the goal of helping employers and insurers understand where their health care dollars are going and ultimately putting downward pressure on prescription drug costs.
• You can learn more about HB 229 here: House Bill 229 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives.

The Bigger Picture

Together, these bills take a multi-pronged approach to health care affordability. The common thread is lower costs, expanded access, and giving patients, employers, providers, and policymakers more choices and better information.

Protecting Ohio’s Second Amendment Rights – Senate Bill 214

As a gun owner and strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe Ohio should be taking every opportunity to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

Senate Bill 214 is an important step in that direction. The bill, which passed the Ohio Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, removes firearm suppressors from Ohio’s definition of “dangerous ordnance.” Under current Ohio law, suppressors are included in the same statutory classification as items such as rocket launchers, grenades and other highly regulated weapons. SB 214 would remove suppressors from that classification under Ohio law.

I strongly support SB 214, but I also believe we should go further by including short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and short-barreled shotguns (SBSs).

That conversation is even more important following a significant federal court ruling in Texas earlier this month.

What the Texas Ruling Means

On August 5, a federal judge in Texas ruled that key registration and regulatory provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA) could no longer be justified under Congress' taxing authority after the federal tax on suppressors, SBRs and SBSs was reduced to $0. The court ruled that the challenged provisions were unconstitutional.

The ruling took effect August 13 after the federal government did not file an immediate appeal. However, it is important to understand that the decision is not a nationwide injunction, and its immediate effect is limited to the parties covered by the case.

The significance of the ruling goes beyond what happens in that particular case. It highlights the changing legal landscape surrounding suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs and raises an important question for states like Ohio: Will our state laws keep pace with changes in federal law and protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners?

I believe the answer should be yes.

As a gun owner myself, I do not believe Ohioans should face unnecessary state restrictions on firearms and accessories that are otherwise lawfully possessed. SB 214 is an opportunity to modernize Ohio law, and I support moving it forward.

I have directly communicated my support for including SBRs and SBSs in SB 214, and I have been told the Ohio House intends to address this when we return from summer recess in November.

You can learn more about SB 214 here: Senate Bill 214 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives.