*WEEK IN REVIEW*
Friday, December 1, 2023

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

"For the week ending December 1, 2023"

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*Sunday, November 26, 2023*

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In honor of the lives of Concord-Green Fire Chief Ralph Stegbauer and Fire Captain Jeffery Skaggs, Governor Mike DeWine ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be?flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Fayette County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower Sunday until sunset on the day of their funerals.

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*Tuesday, November 28, 2023*

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Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Treasurer Robert Sprague announced [ [link removed] ] details of the Ohio Homebuyer Plus program, a new savings account plan designed to encourage homeownership in Ohio.?

The program, which was first proposed by Governor DeWine in his 2023 State of the State address,?will make specialized, tax-advantaged savings accounts available to Ohioans to assist them on their homebuying journey. Prospective homebuyers can open Ohio Homebuyer Plus accounts through participating financial institutions beginning in January.

"This savings account program is part of our work to holistically improve access to adequate, affordable housing in Ohio," said Governor DeWine. "By making it easier for residents to save, we can help more Ohioans achieve their dreams of homeownership."??

?Ohio is the best place to live, work, and raise a family, and we want to continue to create new opportunities to build a life in our state,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?With the challenges in today?s market, we are encouraging Ohioans through this program to think about their future here and to take the steps necessary to enhance their quality of life.?

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Water coming out of faucet

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced [ [link removed] ] eligible entities may now apply for a new round of funding available to help improve access to clean drinking water and upgrade critical wastewater infrastructure in communities across the state.

The Ohio Department of Development is now accepting applications for a new round of the Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program [ [link removed] ].? The DeWine-Husted Administration launched the program in 2021 to?help provide safe, reliable drinking water in areas that lack infrastructure, bring sewage treatment capacity to areas that need it, and develop regional infrastructure to serve multiple communities.??

?Ohio?s economy is the strongest it has ever been, but for all communities to benefit from this momentum they must have the infrastructure in place to support sustained growth,? said Governor DeWine. ?By empowering communities to make continued investments in themselves, we?re opening doors for more companies to invest in Ohio.??

?Creating a strong water infrastructure is essential to improving the quality of life for Ohioans across the state,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?Not only is it improving our neighborhoods, but it?s strengthening our communities to prepare for new and future economic growth."



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*Wednesday, November 29, 2023*

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Lt. Governor Husted at Lincoln Electric Company's ribbon cutting

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks at the Lincoln Electric Company's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the launch of their electric vehicle DC fast chargers.?The new chargers is the first and only American-designed and American-made EV charger meeting NEVI requirements.



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Lt. Governor Husted participated in a roundtable discussion and tour at the Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus in Jefferson. The school received over $6 million from the Career Technical Construction Grant Program to expand their Criminal Justice and Firefighter/EMT programs to serve an additional 60 students.

Husted visited Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost held a press conference

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost held a press conference to announce a settlement agreement between the state of Ohio and DuPont.

Governor DeWine and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced [ [link removed] ] a proposed $110 million settlement with DuPont?over chemical contamination spanning seven decades from the company?s Washington Works facility in Parkersburg, W.Va., just across the border from Washington County, Ohio.

?This settlement is a victory for all Ohioans, especially those living along the Ohio River near the Parkersburg plant,? said Governor DeWine, who originated the lawsuit against DuPont while serving as Ohio?s attorney general in 2018. ?DuPont ignored the fact that the chemicals they were releasing were toxic, and this settlement ensures that they are held responsible for the pollution they knowingly caused to the environment. I applaud Attorney General Yost for aggressively pursuing this case and for bringing it to a successful conclusion.?

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*Thursday, November 30, 2023*

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Lt Governor Husted participates in fireside chat with CVS Health Vice President of State Government Affairs Leanne Gassaway

Lt. Governor Husted participated in a fireside chat with CVS Health Vice President of State Government Affairs Leanne Gassaway at the 2023 Ohio Chamber Healthcare Summit. The conversation touched on workforce challenges in the healthcare industry and the state's collaboration with educational institutions to grow the talent pipeline for the industry.



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Governor DeWine signed Executive Order 2023-12D [ [link removed] ], which further defines the single occupancy room Medicaid reimbursement process for nursing facilities in alignment with the Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force [ [link removed] ] recommendations?and the 2024-'25 state operating budget.

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Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] the appointment of Robert J. Jones Jr. to the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division.?

Jones will assume office on Dec. 18, 2023, and will be taking the seat formerly held by Judge Denise Cubbon. He will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and need to run for election in November 2024 in order to retain the seat.?

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*Friday, December 1, 2023*

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Husted speaks at Economic Development 411 Event

Lt. Governor Husted provided keynote remarks at the Economic Development 411 event hosted by the Columbus Partnership. ED411 brings together hundreds of economic development professionals and leaders from the central Ohio region to discuss the importance of growth and the impact of economic development on the region.



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Governor DeWine issued the following statement following the death of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor:

?Justice Sandra Day O?Connor was a pioneer and a trailblazer. The daughter of a rancher, she would become the first woman to be elected Majority Leader in a state legislature and, of course, our nation?s first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Many have admired Justice O?Connor?s tenure on the Court for her commitment to fairness and civility, as well as her desire to promote civics in education. Fran and I extend our condolences to Justice O?Connor?s sons Scott, Brian, and Jay; her grandchildren; and to all of her extended family and colleagues.?

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Governor DeWine met with Muslim leaders in the Greater Toledo area.

Governor DeWine met with Muslim leaders in the Greater Toledo area.

Governor DeWine met with and Jewish leaders in the Greater Toledo area.

Governor DeWine met with Jewish leaders in the Greater Toledo area.

Governor DeWine met with Muslim leaders at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo and Jewish leaders at the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo to discuss security concerns.?

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Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] that he is nominating LeeAnne Cornyn, his deputy chief of staff, to be the director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.?

Cornyn began working for Governor DeWine when he was Ohio's Attorney General. At the beginning of the DeWine-Husted Administration, she served as his first director of Children?s Initiatives, where she worked on a number of children?s behavioral health programs including the creation of Ohio RISE which is a DeWine-Husted Administration initiative to keep kids with severe mental health issues in state and ensures that they receive coordinated care services under Medicaid.?

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Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Director Kimberly Murnieks announced [ [link removed] ]? [ [link removed] ]that the credit rating agency Moody?s Investors Service upgraded Ohio?s Issuer Rating to ?Aaa? from ?Aa1? citing a ?continuing trend of very strong financial management, improving reserves and liquidity, low and declining leverage and a state economy that is poised for diversification and growth.?

"Moody?s decision to upgrade Ohio's rating to 'Aaa' is strong external validation that our strategy is delivering results for Ohio," said Governor DeWine. "Ohio is the heart of it all, and I am proud that our record shows we are the best state to live, grow or start a business, and raise a family.""*?*"

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H2O Water Infrastructure graphic

Governor DeWine and Ohio EPA Director Anne M. Vogel announced [ [link removed] ] $16.7 million in H2Ohio water infrastructure grants for 14 projects across the state.?

Governor DeWine launched H2Ohio in 2019 as a comprehensive strategy to improve water infrastructure across Ohio and provide increased access to clean, reliable drinking water.?

?Projects like the ones we're announcing today speak to the very heart of why we created H2Ohio,? said Governor DeWine. "This funding will help Ohio communities pay for much-needed infrastructure that will not only improve water quality but also the quality of life for people who live in these neighborhoods.?



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