Representative Michelle Teska Highlights Legislative Wins for Ohio Families, Safety, and Infrastructure

State Representative Michelle Teska (R- Clearcreek Township) is celebrating major accomplishments from the first half of 2025 in this 136th General Assembly, as the Ohio House continues to advance commonsense reforms that protect families, improve public safety, and make strategic, long-term investments in the state’s infrastructure.

“We’ve made incredible progress this year—prioritizing safer roads, stronger laws to protect our children and first responders, and greater accountability in government,” said Rep. Teska. “I came to the Statehouse to be a voice for families and taxpayers, and I’m proud to report we are delivering real results.”

Record Infrastructure Investments to Strengthen Communities

Representative Teska voted to support a historic $11.48 billion investment into Ohio’s roads, highways, and bridges—ensuring safer, more reliable travel for millions of Ohioans and supporting economic growth in every corner of the state.

Key investments include:

• $393 million for new highway construction projects to improve long-term infrastructure.
• $382 million for targeted roadway safety upgrades across Ohio communities.
• An increase in funding for Transportation Improvement Districts (TIDs) to $9 million per year, promoting job creation and regional development.

“Better roads mean safer commutes, stronger local economies, and more efficient emergency response,” said Teska. “This funding helps move Ohio forward.”

Fighting for Public Safety and Law Enforcement Integrity

Rep. Teska supported several initiatives focused on strengthening public safety and protecting first responders:

• Prohibiting Quotas for Arrests and Citations: Teska co-sponsored legislation to ban law enforcement quotas, ensuring that policing is based on public safety—not numbers. The law also empowers the Ohio Attorney General to investigate any alleged violations.
• Protecting First Responders: Teska backed a bill to increase the penalty for obstructing official business to a first-degree misdemeanor when the victim is a police officer, firefighter, or EMT. (Passed the House in June, currently in the Senate)
• Combating Human Trafficking and Violent Crime: A new bill would toughen penalties for kidnapping, abduction, and human trafficking—including updates to legal definitions that close dangerous loopholes and support prosecution of serious crimes. (Both bills are currently in the Senate)

 Prioritizing Children’s Safety

Representative Teska championed legislation to crack down on drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses—a growing safety concern for children and families:

• The new law establishes mandatory minimum fines, longer driver’s license suspensions, and higher penalties for repeat offenders.
• It also authorizes the use of school bus cameras to help identify and hold violators accountable.
• This bill passed the House in June and is now in the Senate. 

“Protecting our kids as they travel to and from school is non-negotiable,” Teska said. “This bill sends a clear message: children’s safety comes first.”

Cracking Down on Catalytic Converter Theft

Rep. Teska supported bipartisan legislation to combat the theft and illegal sale of catalytic converters by:

• Increasing oversight on scrap metal dealers and recyclers.
• Strengthening penalties for non-compliance and unlicensed activity.
• This bill passed the House in June and is now in the Senate.

Protecting Homeowners from Surprise Tax Increases

In a bold stand for taxpayers, Representative Teska voted to override the Governor’s veto and eliminate the ability of local governments to levy replacement property tax levies, which can quietly raise property taxes without voter clarity.

“Homeowners deserve transparency. This is about making sure government plays by the same rules Ohio families do—honestly and openly,” said Teska.

As the Legislature continues its work into the second half of the year, Representative Teska remains focused on delivering policies that support families, law enforcement, and future generations—including efforts to ease the burden of rising property taxes and ensure homeowners can stay rooted in their communities.