WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, May 19, 2023

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending May 19, 2023

Monday, May 15, 2023

Governor Mike DeWine traveled?to Riverside Elementary School in Logan County to?observe classroom activities, discuss how the Science of Reading has been implemented in its lessons, and to hear about the students' experience with it.?

In conjunction with National Military Appreciation Month, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted remind all active and former military members and their spouses that they can access a variety of free employment services at both OhioMeansJobs.com and the state?s OhioMeansJobs Centers.

?Members of the military and their spouses served this nation selflessly, and this is one small way we can show our thanks,? said Governor DeWine. ?We are committed to making Ohio the most military-friendly state in the nation, by supporting military members both while they serve and after they return home.?

Governor DeWine signed an executive order that builds upon Ohio's nation-leading efforts to be a model employer in skill-based hiring practices. The skill-based hiring movement focuses on specific coursework, skills, experience, and training and de-emphasizes previous qualification requirements that were stated in terms of academic degrees.

?Focusing on skills and abilities rather than degrees allows employers to prioritize what really matters for job performance,? said Lt. Governor Husted, director of the Governor?s Office of Workforce Transformation. ?By shifting the emphasis to specific skills and competencies relevant to the role, employers can identify candidates who possess the necessary capabilities, regardless of their educational background.?

Lt. Governor Husted spoke to more than 1,000 Greater Clevelanders when they gathered at the Cleveland Museum of Art for the Greater Cleveland Partnership Annual Event.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences announced finalized results from plant tissue sample testing on East Palestine area crops.

Analysis of scientific data by OSU shows plant materials from agricultural sites in the East Palestine area are not contaminated with semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) associated with the train derailment.?

Using U.S. EPA-approved methods, ODA?s plant health inspectors collected plant tissue samples from 16 agricultural areas in Columbiana County last month. All samples - including winter wheat, pasture grasses, malting barley, and forage covers - were taken within a 5-mile radius of the train derailment site. OSU?s analysis did not find reportable levels of SVOCs in the tested area attributable to the train derailment.?

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

In case of a medical emergency caused by an opioid overdose, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is providing access to lifesaving naloxone nasal spray at all 14 service plazas across the 241-mile toll road.

Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by opioid drugs, such as heroin, fentanyl, and prescription pain medications. Naloxone blocks the deadly effects of opioids on the brain and restores consciousness and breathing.

The statewide installation of emergency-access naloxone cabinets at public facilities, including the Ohio Turnpike?s service plazas, is part of Governor DeWine?s RecoveryOhio initiative and the Ohio Department of Health?s Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) to expand access to naloxone through increased distribution. ?In an overdose situation, minutes matter. By providing Naloxone at service plazas and to Turnpike employees, we are hoping to save lives and give people a chance to access recovery resources,? said Governor DeWine.

Governor DeWine received the National Leadership Award from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Throughout his career, Governor DeWine has been a passionate advocate for Holocaust remembrance. While serving in the U.S. Senate, he introduced the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act, which was signed into law in 1998. The act made public previously classified information about the Nazi persecution.??

"Teaching future generations about the tragedy of the Holocaust is our duty, and we must constantly be vigilant to denounce antisemitism." said Governor DeWine.

Lt. Governor Husted had the chance to speak at the NFIB Small Business Day in Columbus where he shared the great economic outlook of Ohio.

Also on Wednesday, the Lt. Governor and Second Lady (and Ohio Arts Council Board member) Tina Husted spoke at the Governor?s Awards for the Arts in Columbus where eight recipients were awarded.

The Lt. Governor also spoke at the Adams County Capital Day about how every county in Ohio plays an important role in Ohio's economic success.

Also on Wednesday, the Lt. Governor attended the School Choice Ohio Rally at the Statehouse. He created the EdChoice Scholarship so that Ohio children have access to the school that best fits their needs.

Finally, the Lt. Governor traveled to Sidney for the Shelby County Workforce Signing Event. Twenty-two students graduated and signed on with employers and 26 were honored for completing a pre-apprenticeship.

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Governor DeWine joined Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield and State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon at the State Fire Marshal Campus to break ground on the Ohio Fire Academy's new search and rescue house.

Once fully operational, the new facility will train thousands of firefighter and EMS students each year and provide them with a realistic training environment for several rescue scenarios.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will welcome a new?space-focused intelligence mission and with it, 90 new personnel.

?Ohio is proud to gain another military organization focused on our well-established and recognized expertise in air and space intelligence,? Governor DeWine said. ?This new mission assignment acknowledges, once again, that Ohio is the best state in the nation for our military and their families. Now and always, Ohio stands ready to support our service-members and their families as they perform vital national missions like our new 76th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron.?

Governor DeWine nominated Michelle Gillcrist as director of the Ohio Lottery Commission. Gillcrist was named interim director in April.

?Michelle Gillcrist has the right combination of management experience and visionary thinking to lead the Ohio Lottery Commission,? said Governor DeWine.

Prior to her tenure as interim director, Gillcrist served as Governor DeWine?s Northern Ohio Regional Liaison and the Governor?s Aerospace and Defense Liaison to the northeast sector of the state.

Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Elizabeth A. Ellis to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, General Division.

Ellis, of Dayton, will assume office on June 20, 2023, and will be taking the seat formerly held by Judge Mary Kate Huffman. Ellis will have to run for election in November 2024 to retain the seat for the term expiring July 1, 2027.

Ellis currently is an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office. She previously served as the civil division chief for the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Friday, May 19, 2023

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced the launch of a new program aimed at protecting Ohioans in all 88 counties from exposure to toxic lead.?

The new Lead Safe Ohio Program, which is part of Governor DeWine's ongoing efforts to make more of Ohio's homes lead-safe for children and families, will invest $150 million toward state and local efforts to prevent lead poisoning and remediate lead contamination.?

?In 2023, lead exposure is an all-too preventable problem," said Governor DeWine. "It is our responsibility to ensure that all Ohioans ? young and old ? feel safe and healthy in their own homes.??

?Through this funding, we are arming community leaders with the resources to help their residents make much-needed repairs and remove a catastrophic health hazard from the places they call home,? said Lt. Governor Husted.?

Ohio's unemployment rate for April 2023 was 3.7% down from 3.8% in March 2023. Ohio?s nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 18,100 over the month, from a revised 5,590,500 in March to 5,608,600 in April. This marks the lowest unemployment rate since 1976 when the series for reporting unemployment started.

Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Robert J. Patton to the 11^th?District Court of Appeals.

Patton, of Willowick, will assume office on June 5th, and will be taking the seat formerly held by Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice. Patton will have to run for election in November 2024 to retain the seat for the remainder of the term expiring in February 2027.

Patton is currently Senior Litigation Counsel for the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. He previously served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Lake County Prosecutor?s Office.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957