Wayne County,
As summer winds down and we head into fall, I’ve been enjoying these last few weeks of warm weather and time spent in our community. The Wayne County Fair is always a highlight of my September, and this year was no exception! Between spending time at the fair, meeting with constituents, and staying busy working on legislation, it has been another full and rewarding month.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or would like to schedule a meeting. It is an honor to serve you, and I look forward to hearing from you. My office can be reached at Rep77@ohiohouse.gov or (614) 466-1474.
Sincerely,
State Representative Meredith Craig
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90-Day Gas Tax Suspension
Any day we can cut taxes is a good day.
I was proud to support Sub. House Bill 519, which temporarily suspends Ohio’s state motor fuel tax for 90 days, putting an estimated $725 million back into the pockets of Ohioans.
Starting October 4, the suspension will pause the 38.5¢-per-gallon gasoline tax and 47.0¢-per-gallon diesel tax through the holiday season.
And importantly, road funding will not be interrupted. The state is using $725 million from the budget surplus to replace the revenue that would otherwise come from the gas tax, ensuring state and local road projects can continue without interruption.
This is about giving Ohio families, farmers, and businesses some relief at the pump while making sure we keep investing in our roads.
Less money to Columbus. More money back where it belongs — with Ohioans.
Ceremonial Bill Signing for House Bill 105
I had the opportunity to join Governor DeWine for the ceremonial signing of House Bill 105, legislation I was proud to sponsor to bring greater transparency and accountability to third-party litigation funding in Ohio.
Before I took office, two local insurance companies independently raised third-party litigation funding as a major concern during meetings with me. They shared how these arrangements can drive up litigation costs, which can ultimately increase insurance costs and create additional challenges for smaller carriers.
I took those concerns seriously and got to work.
Getting House Bill 105 across the finish line took time, negotiation, and persistence. There was significant opposition to the bill and substantial resources spent trying to stop it. But we stayed at it.
House Bill 105 does the following:
- Requires third-party litigation funders to register with the Ohio Attorney General.
- Requires disclosure of funding agreements to the Attorney General after a case is resolved.
- Prevents funders from directing legal strategy.
- Prohibits foreign governments, foreign corporations, and foreign investors from participating in third-party litigation funding in Ohio.
Seeing Governor DeWine sign this bill into law was a great moment, especially knowing this issue was first brought to my attention by businesses right here at home.
I’m proud we got this done in the first year and a half of my first term, and I’m grateful to Rep. Jim Thomas and Rep. Jack Daniels, who helped get House Bill 105 across the finish line.
Supporting Ohio as the Home of the U.S. Space Force Academy
Ohio has a long history of leading the way in aviation, aerospace, and defense — from the Wright brothers and John Glenn to Neil Armstrong and the men and women driving Ohio’s defense industry today.
That’s why I joined Speaker Matt Huffman and my House Republican colleagues in signing a letter to Governor DeWine in support of making Ohio the future home of the U.S. Space Force Academy.
Dayton, the birthplace of aviation, is home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a strong defense industry, and a deep network of aerospace and military partners. Bringing the Academy to Ohio would build on that legacy, strengthen our defense capabilities, and help prepare the next generation of military leaders.
Ohio has what it takes to make this happen, and I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in making the case for our state.
Congrats to Taggart Law Firm on 150 Years in Business
 I was honored to present a resolution recognizing Taggart Law Firm as they celebrate their remarkable 150th anniversary! For a century and a half, Taggart Law Firm has been an important part of Wayne County, providing dedicated legal service and strengthening our community.
I am grateful for the firm’s longstanding commitment to Wayne County and for the many ways its attorneys and staff have served generations of families, businesses, and community members. Congratulations to Taggart Law Firm on 150 years of service, and here’s to many more years of success!
Recognizing Kim Masters as Health Care Worker of the Year
Congratulations to our very own Kim Masters of Aultman Health Orrville on being named the 2026 Ohio Hospital Association Health Care Worker of the Year!
For more than 30 years, Kim has dedicated her career to caring for the people of Orrville and Wayne County as a radiology and mammography technologist. Her compassion for her patients, commitment to her team, and dedication to her profession are evident in the difference she makes every day.
I’m so proud to see someone who has given so much to our community receive this well-deserved recognition. Kim’s years of service and commitment exemplify the very best of healthcare in Wayne County.
Congratulations, Kim! Wayne County is lucky to have you, and we are grateful for all you do!
The Best Week of the Year – Wayne County Fair
The Wayne County Fair is always one of the highlights of the year, and this year was no exception. I had the opportunity to be at the fair every day, catching up with friends, visiting with families, supporting our exhibitors, and enjoying all that makes the fair such a special part of our community.
Having grown up at the Wayne County Fair, I’ve seen firsthand how much it means to generations of families across our community. The fair is more than a week of rides, food, and entertainment; it is a celebration of agriculture, hard work, and the people who make Wayne County such a great place to call home.
 From spending time with the Ag Success team and welcoming Senator Jon Husted to enjoying great performances and, of course, plenty of fair food, there were countless opportunities to connect with our community. The Junior Fair is a big part of our community, and the hard work of our 4-H members and exhibitors helps young people build responsibility, leadership, and skills that will carry with them for years to come.
Thank you to everyone who works behind the scenes to make this tradition possible and to the families who continue to make the Wayne County Fair a cornerstone of our community.
Team Tressel Fitness Challenge at Norwayne
 I had a great time joining the students at Norwayne Elementary School for the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge! It was great to see so many students getting active, having fun, and encouraging one another.
Chick-fil-A Grand Opening in Wooster
 Chick-fil-A has officially arrived in Wooster! It was great to celebrate the grand opening and welcome them to the community.
Thank you to the Laughlin family for investing in Wayne County and bringing new jobs and opportunities to our area.
Welcome to Wooster, Chick-fil-A!
Heartland Trail Grand Opening
 Congratulations to Rails to Trails of Wayne County on the completion of the Heartland Trail!
This new section closes the gap between Marshallville and Orrville, creating even more opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors and explore Wayne County.
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this project a reality. It’s exciting to see another investment in our community come to life!
Cleveland Heart Lab Tour
 I recently had the chance to visit the Cleveland Heart Lab, home to the Quest Cardiometabolic Center of Excellence. It was interesting to learn about all the great work their team is doing to spot cardiometabolic health risks before symptoms even show up. With state‑of‑the‑art technology and a dedicated team, they’re making meaningful progress toward healthier communities by focusing on preventative care.
Congrats to Wooster Brush on 175 Years in Business!
Congratulations to the Wooster Brush Company on 175 years of business! I was honored to present a commendation at their celebration, and it was great to see the pride and history behind such a longstanding business. It’s not every day you get to celebrate a business that’s been part of the community for nearly two centuries, and I’m grateful I could be part of the milestone.
OSU Wooster Campus Kokosing Construction Management Program Celebration
 I had the opportunity to attend the celebration of the new Kokosing Construction Management Program at The Ohio State University’s ATI Wooster Campus, where I was honored to speak about this important investment in our students and workforce.
The program, established within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences in partnership with the College of Engineering, will provide students with new opportunities to prepare for careers in construction management while helping meet the needs of Ohio’s growing workforce.
It was great to see Kokosing leadership, university partners, faculty, donors, staff, and students come together to celebrate this milestone. Public/private partnerships like this help connect students with valuable educational and career opportunities while strengthening Ohio’s workforce for years to come.
I’m proud to see this kind of investment taking place right here in our backyard and look forward to seeing the impact this program will have on students and the construction industry across Ohio.
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