*WEEK IN REVIEW*
Friday, December 8, 2023

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

"For the week ending December 8, 2023"

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*Monday, December 4, 2023*

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Husted speaks at Ohio Contractors Association

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided remarks at the Ohio Contractors Association Annual Winter Conference, the association?s largest in-state event.



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Ohio Governor Mike?DeWine, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, announced [ [link removed] ]the official launch of the Governor?s Merit Scholarship Program.

The Governor?s Merit Scholarship was included in the most recent state budget ? House Bill 33 ? in an effort to increase the number of high-achieving high school graduates who remain in Ohio for college. A total of $20 million was appropriated for the first year of the program, which is open to seniors graduating in 2024 in the top 5% of their class.

?With so many world-class higher education institutions in Ohio, we want to encourage all students to stay in-state as they continue their education and transition into careers,? said Governor DeWine. ?Ohio is truly the heart of opportunity, and we want all Ohioans to find the path that is right for them, right here at home.?

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ODNR trail

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has named [ [link removed] ] 12 recipients of the Recreational Trails Program grant, including several cities, villages, metro parks, and even Ohio?s national forest. ?We?re fortunate in Ohio to have so many beautiful, natural wonders to enjoy,? Governor DeWine said. ?These projects will help more people around the state get out on the trail and enjoy everything Ohio has to offer.?



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Violent crime round 13 available

Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] that $4 million in grant funding is now available to help local law enforcement agencies implement new violent crime reduction strategies in their communities.

Governor DeWine prioritized continued funding for the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program [ [link removed] ] in the state?s 2024-'25 operating budget that was passed by the Ohio General Assembly in June. Since the launch of the program in 2021, nearly $80 million has been awarded to 170 local law enforcement agencies for targeted programs and technology that aid in preventing and solving incidents of violent crime.

?We know that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy to combat violent crime, and that?s why this is a flexible grant program designed to fund initiatives tailored to individual communities,? said Governor DeWine. ?Over the first 12 rounds of this program, every agency that applied for funding to support a qualifying crime reduction project has received an award, and we encourage agencies that haven?t previously asked for funding to seriously consider applying.?



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Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine were honored to help kick off the holiday season at the Statehouse.?

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Gov DeWine lights Christmas Tree at Statehouse

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*Tuesday, December 5, 2023*

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Husted speaks at the Delaware County Economic Development Summit

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks at the?Delaware County Economic Development Summit to local businesses and economic development leaders about the importance of bringing jobs to our communities so that Ohio can continue to thrive and win economically.?



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Brownfield remediation graphic

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced [ [link removed] ] that?nearly $175 million in grant funding is now available?to help communities clean up contaminated properties and prepare them for new development opportunities.?

?Many of the brownfield properties in Ohio once played an important role in the industries that shaped our great state?s legacy of innovation,? said Governor DeWine. ?By supporting more of our communities through this transformative program, we?re giving these sites a second chance and clearing a path for Ohio?s next great economic success story.??

?Reviving brownfield sites isn't just about clearing the past, it's about sculpting a promising future,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?Cleaning these sites opens up residential, commercial, and industrial locations that are already connected to the necessary infrastructure to redevelop. This unlocks the potential for vibrant communities, breathing new life into forgotten grounds to become a place where history greets innovation."



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Traffic safety projects graphic

Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks announced [ [link removed] ] an investment of $73.8 million into more than two dozen projects that will reduce the risk of crashes and increase safety on Ohio roads.?

"Since 2019, we've worked to grow this program into one of the largest traffic safety programs in the country," said Governor DeWine. "Every project that receives funding will be constructed in a manner that puts the safety of those traveling Ohio's roads at the forefront."



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Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] the appointment of James (Jim) Anderson to the Toledo Municipal Court.?

Anderson will assume office on Jan. 2, 2024, and will be taking the seat formerly held by Judge Amy Berling. He will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and will need to run for election in November 2025 to retain the seat.?

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*Wednesday, December 6, 2023*

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Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] that Ohio Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma (Ohio START), the program that helps stabilize families struggling with substance use, is the first in the nation to receive national certification from Children and Family Futures (CFF).

?We launched Ohio START when I was attorney general, and since then, hundreds of families have benefited from access to both treatment and recovery,? Governor DeWine said. ?Many families have found hope and healing through Ohio START, and I congratulate our partners at the Public Children Services Association of Ohio and across the state for this recognition.?

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Gov Dewine holds press conference on HB 86

Governor DeWine, with Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson, at his press conference on recreational marijuana amendments

On the eve of the start of legalized recreational marijuana in Ohio, Governor DeWine urged the General Assembly to pass amendments regarding the implementation of the new law that would respect the will of the voters yet protect children and the rights of those who don?t want to be exposed to the substance.?

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*Thursday, December 7, 2023*

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In honor of the lives lost on December 7, 1941, in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and in accordance with orders from the President of the United States, Governor DeWine ordered [ [link removed] ] that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio from midnight to midnight on December 7, 2023.?

Pearl Harbor graphic

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Lt. Gov. Husted speaks at concrete convention

Lt. Governor Husted spoke at the Ohio Concrete Annual Meeting about Ohio?s booming economy. Construction is at record-high employment with 253,000 jobs here in Ohio.



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Lt. Gov. Husted speaks at County Commissioners Associations of Ohio winter conference

The Lt. Governor also spoke at the County Commissioners Association of Ohio and County Engineers Association of Ohio Winter Conference about the many investments the Administration has made in counties through the State Operating Budget and how our counties play a part in that.



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H2Ohio grant awardees

Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz announced [ [link removed] ] $8.2 million in grants to support 12 new wetland projects.?

The funds are being awarded as part of Governor?DeWine?s H2Ohio [ [link removed] ] initiative through the?H2Ohio Statewide Wetland Grant Program [ [link removed] ], which provides up to 100% funding for wetland projects across Ohio.

?We have made water quality a No.1 priority in the state through H2Ohio, and our wetlands program has been vital to that mission,? said Governor DeWine. ?Adding more wetland projects around Ohio is just one more way to help keep our lakes and rivers clean.?



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2023 Hanukkah

May all Ohio families who celebrate, enjoy this Hanukkah season filled with love and light.

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*Friday, December 8, 2023*

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crew-centric masthead

Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced [ [link removed] ] that Saturday, December 9, 2023, will be recognized [ [link removed] ] as Columbus Crew Day in Ohio.

?Ohioans are behind the Columbus Crew as they play in the MLS Cup Final on Saturday at Lower.com Field," said Governor DeWine. ?They?ve had a great season, and we wish them luck as they work to bring home a third championship!? Glory to Columbus!?

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Husted speaks at Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks at the Ohio Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting during the Foundation Breakfast about the importance of the agriculture industry in our state. Ohio?s food and ag industry provides $124 billion to the economy and provides jobs both on and off the farm to 1 in 8 people.



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Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] the appointment of Timothy W. Clary to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.?

Clary will assume office on Jan. 2, 2024, and will be taking the seat formerly held by Judge Michael Russo, who died. He will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and will need to run for election in November 2024 to retain the seat.?

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Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ]that Ohio's first electric vehicle (EV) charger funded through the?National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program is now online, making Ohio the first state in the nation to activate a NEVI charger.?

The new NEVI charging station is located at the Pilot Travel Center along Interstate 70 at U.S. Route 42 in Madison County, west of Columbus. The station is equipped with fast chargers installed by EVgo that are capable of providing up to 350 kW when charging a single vehicle. When four vehicles are charging simultaneously, each port will receive up to 175 kW, which is enough power to charge an EV up to 80% in 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the vehicle?s battery.

?Any industry that focuses on innovations for the future is a priority for Ohio," said Governor DeWine. "Electric vehicles are the future of transportation, and we want drivers in Ohio to have access to this technology today."

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Director Kimberly Murnieks announced [ [link removed] ]?that S&P Global Ratings upgraded the state?s issuer default and general obligation bond ratings to ?AAA,? citing Ohio?s demonstrated commitment to active budget management, building and maintaining reserves, significant state-supported economic diversification efforts, and a belief that the state can maintain better credit characteristics than the U.S. in a stress scenario.

This is the first time that Ohio has been rated "AAA/Aaa" by all three rating agencies.

?Achieving this rating from not just one, but all three major credit agencies is historic,? said Governor DeWine. ?This remarkable financial milestone underscores that Ohio is at the forefront of financial excellence and economic innovation. Our strategies are yielding tangible benefits, making Ohio a prime destination for businesses and families.?

?This third Triple-A rating is a testament to Ohio?s unmatched economic strength and fiscal responsibility," said Lt. Governor Husted. "Our budgetary leadership, combined with strategic investments in diverse sectors, has paid off immensely. We?re not just maintaining a balanced budget, we are fostering a flourishing economy that promises limitless opportunities for every Ohioan, now and in the future.??

*MEDIA CONTACT:*
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957

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