*WEEK IN REVIEW*
Friday, January 26, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

"For the week ending January 26, 2024"

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Monday, January 22, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Lt. Gov. Husted Rotary Club

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted was at the Rotary Club of Toledo sharing why Ohio is the heart of it all.

Ohio has diversified our economy because of our pro-business climate and in 2023, the state set a record for the most jobs in Ohio history.



________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Tuesday, January 23, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement following the death of former?Ohio Department of Public Safety Director and longest-serving Ohio Inspector?General Thomas P. Charles.?

?Fran and I are saddened to learn of the death of?Tom Charles. Tom was?a dedicated public servant. He spent?more than?31 years in?the?Ohio State Highway Patrol, serving in numerous leadership capacities up to his service as Lieutenant Colonel.?Following his retirement from the Patrol in 1994, he went on to become Ohio?s longest-serving Inspector General from 1998-2011. He also served as Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety from 2011-2013 and worked as an advisor to JobsOhio to oversee and ensure ethics compliance in the state?s privatized economic development agency.?

?Simply put, Tom?s?commitment to public safety?and integrity in government service was unmatched.?

?Fran and I extend our deepest sympathies to Tom?s wife, Brigette, and to his family and friends.?

________________________________________________________________________



$4.5 million in Grants to Increase Driver Training

Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson announced [ [link removed] ]more than $4.5 million in grant funding to increase the number of quality teen driver training programs in Ohio.

A total of 34 grants will be awarded through the Creating Opportunities for Driver Education (CODE) Grant Program to increase driver training capacity at nearly 100 locations throughout Ohio. Grant recipients, including current and prospective driver training enterprises, educational service centers (ESCs), school districts, and career technical schools, can use funds toward the cost of training vehicles, instructor salaries, online education, and other administrative costs.

?Ohio?s driver training programs help young drivers develop responsible road habits, while also laying the foundation for a lifetime of safe and confident driving,? said Governor DeWine. ?More students in underserved areas will now have access to this vital training, allowing them to contribute to a safer, more informed generation of drivers.?



________________________________________________________________________



RecoveryOhio

Governor DeWine attended the RecoveryOhio Advisory Council?s quarterly meeting.

The?council advises the RecoveryOhio initiative aimed at improving the state's response to substance use and mental health disorders. The RecoveryOhio Advisory Council is made up of people with lived experiences, family members, and experts from both the public and private sectors with experience in the fields of treatment, prevention, recovery support, and criminal justice.



________________________________________________________________________



Lt. Governor Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor?s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced [ [link removed] ] that 15 training providers located throughout the state will receive a total of $6.2 million?to offer education at no cost through the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP). The program creates the opportunity for Ohioans to earn technology-focused credentials at an approved provider for free.

?Today?s announcement more than doubles the number of credentials available than in the most previous round of IMAP,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?We want to remove barriers to job training so more Ohioans can earn skills that are needed now and in the future, and that?s what we?re doing through the IMAP program.?

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Wednesday, January 24, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Astronauts of Ohio Youth Day

First Lady Fran DeWine spoke at the Ohioans in Space Youth Discovery Day at the Ohio Statehouse to discuss the importance of education and our history in aviation and aerospace. Governor and First Lady DeWine also participated in science experiments with kids.



________________________________________________________________________



ODNR Director Mertz

As part of Governor DeWine?s H2Ohio initiative, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) held a groundbreaking ceremony [ [link removed] ] for the Clark Island and Delaware/Horseshoe Island restoration projects.?

This unique endeavor will rebuild Clark and Delaware/Horseshoe islands and the downstream portion of Delaware/Horseshoe Island which have deteriorated over the years due to erosion. The process of restoring the islands will improve water quality by reducing sediment and nutrients in the Maumee River and ultimately Lake Erie. ?

?We have made it our mission to find innovative ways to improve water quality across Ohio, and this project is a prime example,? Governor DeWine said. ?By restoring these eroded islands, more nutrients will be filtered out of the water, ensuring cleaner, safer water to drink and enjoy.?



________________________________________________________________________



Portrait Unveiling

Governor and First Lady DeWine took part in the unveiling of the new ?Ohioans in Space? painting at the Ohio Statehouse. Ohioans led the nation into the air and space, and this artwork - and the remarkable men and women it depicts - will serve as motivation for future generations of Ohioans to reach for the stars.



________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Thursday, January 25, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Merit Scholars

Governor DeWine visited the Mt. Healthy Early Learning Center in Cincinnati and the Fayetteville-Perry Local School District in Fayetteville to learn about the school districts? literacy initiatives.

While visiting Fayetteville-Perry Local Schools, Governor DeWine met some of the first recipients of the new Governor's Merit Scholarship.?



________________________________________________________________________



strat-plan-FB

Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] the 2024-2026 Suicide Prevention Plan for the state, reinforcing a commitment to eliminating obstacles for families and individuals grappling with suicide.

??The heartbreak of losing a family member to suicide is a pain that cuts deep, leaving behind a void that words can't fully capture," said?Governor DeWine. ?This plan will bring about a system-wide commitment to reduce suicides and encourage communities to work collectively to foster understanding and destigmatize mental health challenges.?



________________________________________________________________________



The Ohio Department of Development announced [ [link removed] ] the availability of nearly $12 million in grant funding dedicated to advancing innovation in coal technologies, fostering economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability across the state.?

The funding is available through the Ohio Coal Research and Development Program, which supports projects aimed at modernizing the use of Ohio coal through innovative technologies and processes such as rare earth element extractions for manufacturing, alternate uses for coal waste, and even the conversion of coal into high-quality materials for housing construction.?

??By investing in emerging technologies, research, and forward-thinking projects, we will harness the potential of our abundant coal reserves in a way that is not only economically viable but also environmentally sound,? said Governor DeWine.

________________________________________________________________________



Bison Hollow becomes Preserve

As snow frosted the trees and ice formed over the creek, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) joined the Appalachia Ohio Alliance to officially declare [ [link removed] ] Bison Hollow as a state nature preserve last week. The 375 acres of land?etched in the rolling hills of Hocking and Vinton counties?is now permanently protected. ?

?State nature preserves play a significant role in protecting Ohio?s natural wonders,? Governor DeWine said. ?From the cliff faces to the towering trees, there are so many features at Bison Hollow that sum up the beauty of this state.?



________________________________________________________________________



Governor DeWine issued the following statement regarding the situation at the U.S. southern border:

"The situation at our country?s southern border is untenable and just keeps getting worse. The Biden Administration?s policy has been a total failure, and we need change now. I support Texas? and Governor Abbott?s efforts as a state to stop this border crisis.

"Securing our border is so important because illegal drugs, especially fentanyl, are known to cross the border, and the immigrant crisis exacerbates and drains resources from drug enforcement.

"Ohio has stepped up to assist and has had a continuous presence on the border since October 2020, when I deployed approximately 115 members of the Ohio National Guard to support the Southwest Border operations in Texas. I also deployed approximately 375 Ohio National Guard members to Texas, including Ohio National Guard members who deployed in October 2023 and remain there today. I have also sent troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol to support local law enforcement with border security on two occasions.

"Ohio will continue to do our part to support Texas and support policies to secure our border."

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Friday, January 26, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Ohio?s private employers could pay nearly $67 million less in premiums next fiscal year due to a 7% rate reduction proposed to the BWC?s Board of Directors.

If approved [ [link removed] ], this reduction would be the fifth straight reduction since Governor DeWine took office in 2019.

?Ohio?s employers continue to show their dedication to workplace safety,? said Governor DeWine. ?Their hard work to create safe environments for employees is what allows us to reduce rates year after year.?

________________________________________________________________________



The Appalachian Regional Commission, in partnership with the Ohio Governor?s Office of Appalachia, is accepting applications [ [link removed] ] for the Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative.

The INSPIRE program addresses the Appalachian region?s substance use disorder crisis through projects that create opportunities for Ohioans in recovery to find and keep sustainable employment.

?By providing support and opportunities for those in recovery, we are working to break the cycle of addiction and foster thriving, resilient communities,? said Governor DeWine. ?Recovery-to-work projects do not just improve individual outcomes, but also economic development across the region.?

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



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

*-30-*







________________________________________________________________________

STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit us on YouTube [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Instagram [ [link removed] ] ? ?

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Governor.Ohio.gov [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]??|??Help [ [link removed] ]

Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

?

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using govDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Governor DeWine Communications ? Riffe Center, 30th Floor, 77 South High Street ? Columbus, OH 43215-6117 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]