WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, February 16, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending February 16, 2024

Monday, February 12, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted released the following statements after Chief Judge Algenon L. Marbley, the United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, granted tech lobbying group NetChoice?s request for a preliminary injunction that stops the Social Media Parental Notification Act from being enforced. NetChoice represents Meta and other social media companies.

?There is overwhelming evidence that social media has a negative effect on the mental health of minors, including increases in depression and suicide-related behavior,? said Governor DeWine. ?The Social Media Parental Notification Act remains a reasonable, clear, narrowly tailored, and, I believe, lawful approach to provide safeguards and parental guidance. I am disappointed in today?s ruling by the district court and respectfully disagree with it. Since the federal courts are interpreting federal constitutional law as preventing the State of Ohio from protecting Ohio?s children, then Congress needs to act to protect our country?s children.?

Lt. Governor Husted provided the following statement:

"It's disappointing, but it will not deter us from our responsibility to protect children from exploitative social media algorithms that are causing a crisis of depression, suicide, bullying, and sexual exploitation among our children. These companies could solve this problem without passing new laws, but they refuse to do so. Because social media companies will not be responsible, we must hold them accountable.

"Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to continue our fight to protect children so they will not be exploited and monetized at the hands of big tech.

"After we have time to review the decision, we will determine our next steps but we are resolved to escalate our efforts to protect kids from further exploitation.?

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Governor DeWine joined members of the Ohio Expositions Commission, as well as staff and supporters, as they honored longtime General Manager Virgil Strickler, who will retire at the end of February.?

Lt. Governor Husted and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge toured MVP Dairy in Celina to learn about the facility?s operations and see their state-of-the-art milking carousel. They also participated in a roundtable discussion with local leaders to get a Mercer County update.

The Appalachian Regional Commission, in partnership with the Ohio Governor?s Office of Appalachia, is accepting applications for the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative.

The POWER program targets projects that will support workforce and economic development in communities impacted by the downturn of the coal industry.

?In Ohio, we?re focused on the future,? said Governor DeWine. ?This includes preparing our workforce and our economy so they are poised to thrive. The POWER Initiative is one of several tools we?re using to support Appalachian communities with the resources they need to prosper.?

Lt. Governor Husted visited Precision Agri Services Inc. in Minster with Director Baldridge of the Ohio Department of Agriculture to see the company?s new 30,000-square-foot headquarters.

Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks announced more than $100 million in investments to support quality public transportation in Ohio. A total of $106 million will be awarded to 383 transit projects throughout Ohio. ODOT?s Office of Transit is awarding the funds through seven grant programs that focus on workforce mobility, senior citizen and special needs transportation, rural transit, and busing.? ?This funding will help ensure that transportation is not a barrier to opportunity. We are improving the quality of life for Ohioans who depend on public transportation to access jobs, education, and medical services,? said Governor DeWine.

Lt. Governor Husted joined Troy Mayor Robin Oda for a walking tour with a group of local fifth graders to see the Troy Fire Department.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to learn more about what the department is doing to ensure the children of Ohio have the tools and resources needed to live up to their full potential.?

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Governor DeWine tours the ODOT Traffic Management Center.

Governor DeWine and? Director Marchbanks of the Ohio Department of the Ohio Department of Transportation announced the launch of a new initiative that will use technology to detect traffic congestion and warn drivers of dangerous slow-downs. The new warning systems will be installed at 13 highway sites in and around major urban centers that have been identified by ODOT as high-congestion, high-crash areas. When cameras at these sites detect slow or stopped traffic, they will automatically trigger a message board a few miles away to alert approaching drivers of the upcoming traffic hazard. Alerts?will also be pushed to OHGO and other traffic apps. "As technology continues to evolve, we're always looking for new ways to help prevent serious and fatal crashes on our highways," said Governor DeWine. "Although we're confident that these warning systems will help prevent crashes, there is still no substitute for safe driving. For these signs to be effective, drivers must be paying attention."

Lt. Governor Husted and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin announce a new AI toolkit for K-12 educators.

Lt. Governor Husted, director of InnovateOhio, in partnership with The AI Education Project (aiEDU) announced the launch of an AI Toolkit for Ohio?s K-12 school districts. This resource will empower policymakers, superintendents, principals, IT staff, teachers, and parents to advance artificial intelligence literacy in their school districts. It will also provide resources that help promote student privacy, data security, ethics, and other factors.

?AI technology is here to stay, and as a result, InnovateOhio took the lead on hosting forums over the summer to discuss the impacts,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?The predominant request was educators wanting help implementing the technology in the classroom. This toolkit is a resource for those who will prepare our students for success in an AI world. It continues our work to ensure Ohio is a leader in responding to the challenges and opportunities made possible by artificial intelligence.?

Lt. Governor Husted spoke at the celebration event for the Midwest Pediatric Device Consortium (MPDC). The MPDC, consisting of Nationwide Children?s Hospital, The Ohio State University, Cleveland Clinic Children?s, and Cincinnati Children?s, received a $6.95 million grant from the FDA to be distributed over five years to help increase the number of pediatric medical devices across the nation.

Friday, February 16, 2024

Governor DeWine announced more than $4.6 million in funding to help victim service agencies meet the needs of human trafficking survivors. Thirty nonprofit organizations in 14 counties will receive funding as part of the new Direct Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Grant Program. Launched by Governor DeWine in September, the grant program aims to help serve the growing number of sex and labor trafficking victims in need of support. ?This new program will help ensure that human trafficking survivors in Ohio get the specialized support they need to help take back control of their lives,? said Governor DeWine.?

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced $750 million in funding is now available to assist communities with infrastructure costs to create project-ready economic development sites.

Applicants can now submit site proposals for funding as part of the All Ohio Future Fund. The program is designed to attract future economic development projects in Ohio by increasing the number of project-ready sites in the state.

?To build and maintain a thriving Ohio, we are starting with significant investments in our communities,? said Governor DeWine. ?By increasing our inventory of project-ready sites in across the state, we?re laying the foundation for widespread, sustainable development that will be felt by everyone who calls Ohio home.?

?As more businesses look to create a domestic supply chain, the demand for job-ready sites is at an all-time high,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?When it comes to making the things that America needs to live and thrive, nobody does it better than Ohio. The resulting jobs support Ohio families, and our children and grandchildren no longer need to leave Ohio to find great career opportunities. They can live their version of the American dream without ever leaving Ohio."?

Governor DeWine and First Lady DeWine visit Stranahan Elementary School in Toledo.

Governor DeWine and First Lady DeWine visited Stranahan Elementary School in Toledo and Virginia Stevenson Elementary School in Dayton to learn about the school districts? literacy initiatives.

Governor DeWine and First Lady DeWine visit Virginia Stevenson Elementary School in Dayton.

Lt. Governor Husted visited The Ohio State University-Mansfield to celebrate the dedication of the school?s new STEM labs, which will include an Organic Chemistry Lab, a Smart Manufacturing Lab, and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Lab.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957