Dewine press release masthead newest




*WEEK IN REVIEW*
Friday, April 19, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

"For the week ending April 19, 2024
"

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Monday, April 15, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Overview of Downtown RampUP project

The Ohio Department of Transportation kicked off [ [link removed] ] off a record construction season, investing $2.8 billion into 950 road and bridge improvement projects across the state. There are 39 projects classified as ?major projects? with a value of more than $10 million.?

?Investing in efficient infrastructure is an investment in quality of life,? said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. ?Once complete, these projects will significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve roadway safety.?



________________________________________________________________________



Gov. DeWine visits Youngstown State on his Right to Read tour.

Governor DeWine participated in a roundtable discussion regarding literacy, education, and Ohio?s future. He was joined by Director Stephen Dackin of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, leaders from Youngstown State University and area businesses, and educators from across the Mahoning Valley. The roundtable featured clips from the film ?The Right to Read.?



________________________________________________________________________



Drive to Succeed 2

Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] nearly $2.5 million in grants to expand access to teen driver training for low-income Ohio families.?

Thirty-five local school districts and government agencies will receive grants totaling $2,495,655 from the Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program. Funding awarded through the program is used to provide driver training scholarships to eligible teenage drivers across Ohio.

?This program is already helping hundreds of teens learn skills to be safer drivers, and we are happy to help even more young people receive driver training,? said Governor DeWine. ?When young drivers know the strategies to stay safe on the roads, the roads are safer for everyone.?



________________________________________________________________________



Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] that $5 million is now available to support local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations impacted by the tornados in Logan and Auglaize counties on March 14, 2024.?

In early April, Governor DeWine authorized that the funding be made available from the State Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). The Ohio Controlling Board approved the release of the funds during its April 15 meeting.??

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Tuesday, April 16, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Gov. DeWine visits Cleveland on The Right to Read tour.

Governor DeWine continued his tour to promote the ?The Right to Read? documentary by visiting the Toledo Lucas County Public Library and the Cleveland Public Library to discuss the implementation of the science of reading in schools throughout Ohio. He also talked about how Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio is getting more books into the hands of young children.?

At the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Governor DeWine highlighted the library?s crucial role in the Imagination Library program. With 14,753 kids signed up, equaling 59% of eligible children in Lucas County, the library has played an important role in promoting literacy and fostering a love for reading among young learners.?



Gov. DeWine continues Right to Read tour in Cleveland.

During the Governor's visit to the Cleveland Public Library, he similarly shared there are 39, 237 children signed up to receive free books through the Imagination Library, equaling 59% of children in Cuyahoga County.?

"With Ohio?s participation in the Imagination Library, we as a state are doing a better job setting kids up for success in kindergarten," Governor DeWine said.?



Gov. DeWine continues The Right to Read tour in Columbus

Governor DeWine attended a public screening of the film, ?The Right to Read." Following the screening of the film, he participated in a panel discussion moderated by Anna Staver and featuring Kareem Weaver, star of the film, and Brett Tingley, founder and president of Parent for Reading Justice.?

At this panel discussion, they discussed how every child should have access to proven literacy instruction based on decades of research, the science of reading.?



________________________________________________________________________



Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted joined the Ohio Mayors Alliance Annual Meeting to speak with mayors from across the state about the administration?s future priorities and what the mayors are seeing in their cities.

Lt. Governor Husted spoke at the Ohio's Mayor Alliance annual meeting.

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Wednesday, April 17, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Gov. DeWine visits Toledo on The Right to Read tour.

Governor DeWine spoke to Ohio school superintendents to promote increased awareness of high-quality, science-based literacy instruction. He discussed the importance of principals and superintendents supporting teachers and working to align their instruction with the science of reading.



________________________________________________________________________



Lt. Governor Husted traveled to Nelsonville to speak at the Appalachian Children's Coalition Youth Mental Health Summit.?

Also, he hosted a roundtable discussion with Nationwide Children?s Hospital and school leaders from the region focused on phone policies in K-12 schools.?

Lt. Governor Husted traveled to Nelsonville to speak at the Appalachian Children Coalition Youth Mental Health Summit

________________________________________________________________________





Governor DeWine wrapped up his ?Right to Read? tour in Cincinnati, where he participated in a roundtable discussion about literacy, education, and Ohio?s future. The Governor was joined by business leaders and literacy leaders in the greater Cincinnati region. The roundtable also featured clips from the documentary.



________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Thursday, April 18, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________


Governor DeWine unveils re-imagined rest area along I-70 westbound in Licking Co. in recognition of World Heritage Day.

Governor DeWine unveils the re-imagined rest area along I-70 westbound in Licking County.

In recognition of World Heritage Day, Governor DeWine, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks unveiled [ [link removed] ] the newly redesigned Licking County I-70 westbound rest area, which includes images of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, Ohio?s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

?We are transforming Ohio?s rest areas to not only provide travelers a chance to take a break, which makes everyone safer, but also invite them to discover our beautiful Ohio,? said Governor DeWine. ?Near this Licking County rest area, there are two historical areas of significance ? Great Circle Earthworks and Octagon Earthworks ? as well as other local attractions to experience.?

________________________________________________________________________



Second Lady Tina Husted spoke at the Ohio Youth of the Year awards ceremony

Second Lady Tina Husted spoke at the Ohio Youth of the Year awards ceremony, hosted by the Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, to honor teens for their achievements in academics, leadership, and service.



________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*Friday, April 18, 2024*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



Lt. Governor talked about AI in Canton.

Lt. Governor Husted celebrated AI Literacy Day by speaking at the Canton AI Tech Innovation Summit on why Ohio?s leaders need to prepare our state, students, and workforce for success in a world where the use of artificial intelligence is common.



________________________________________________________________________



This week, Governor DeWine called [ [link removed] ] on President Joe Biden to withdraw proposed legislation that would permanently federalize portions of the Ohio National Guard into the U.S. Space Force.??

"As Commander in Chief of the Ohio National Guard, I retain the responsibility for these military organizations and their missions," Governor DeWine wrote. "Usurping this power would be unprecedented, and I respectfully ask that you do not do so. Every Ohio National Guard member takes an oath not only to the United States of America, but to Ohio as well. I honor their dual commitment by ensuring that all Ohio National Guard members can serve in the communities where they live, work, and raise their families. When called, they stand ready to deploy ? anytime, anywhere."?

*ATTACHMENT: Governor DeWine's Letter to President Joe Biden* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________



H2Ohio statewide expansion

Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge announced [ [link removed] ] that H2Ohio?s agriculture incentive program is now being offered to producers throughout the state.

Governor DeWine launched H2Ohio in 2019 as a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing various threats to water quality, including harmful algal blooms caused by phosphorus runoff. H2Ohio?s agricultural program, which initially focused solely on farms located in northwest Ohio near Lake Erie, incentivizes farmers to implement science-based, proven best management practices to prevent nutrient runoff and improve water quality.

"H2Ohio is now firmly established in northwest Ohio, giving us the opportunity to take this program to other parts of the state,? said Governor DeWine. ?We appreciate the commitment that our current H2Ohio farmers have shown to protecting Lake Erie, and we look forward to engaging more producers across Ohio on how they can contribute to cleaner water throughout the state.?



________________________________________________________________________



Lt Governor Husted visits Stark State for a roundtable discussion.

Lt. Governor Husted traveled to North Canton for a roundtable discussion with regional business leaders, Intel representatives, Stark State College deans and faculty, and students to discuss how an artificial intelligence(AI)-ready workforce will help employers in all industry sectors remain competitive on a national and global scale to mark National AI Literacy Day. [ [link removed] ]

Stark State College and Intel recently unveiled the new AI Lab [ [link removed] ] in the W.R. Timken Center for Information Technology. Stark State is among a select group of community colleges across the country participating in Intel?s AI-Ready Workforce network, which aims to equip the workforce with the technical confidence, skill sets, and competencies needed for jobs that use artificial intelligence.



________________________________________________________________________



Following his announcement in the 2024 State of the State Address, Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth ?provided additional details [ [link removed] ] of Ohio?s new $85 million Child-Care Access Grant program to increase the availability of licensed child care.?

?To better prepare our youngest Ohioans for school, and in order to ensure Ohio?s economy can continue to grow and thrive we need to ensure our working families have access to quality early care and education,? Governor DeWine said. "Quality child care helps prepare children for kindergarten and encourages them to develop the skills they will need to succeed."

________________________________________________________________________



Photo of Natasha Natale

Governor DeWine announced [ [link removed] ] the appointment of Natasha K. Natale to the Warren Municipal Court.?

Natale, of Warren, who will assume office on May 10, 2024, will take the seat formerly held by Judge Thomas Gysegem, who resigned. She will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and will need to run for election in November 2025 to retain the seat.?



________________________________________________________________________



Governor DeWine sent a letter requesting that the Small Business Administration (SBA) issue a Rapid Disaster Declaration for Logan County residents, families, and businesses impacted by tornadoes on March 14, 2024.?

This request follows Governor DeWine's March 29 request for a FEMA Presidential Disaster Declaration for all 11 counties impacted by the March 14 tornadoes. The SBA requires that governors wait 20 days after requesting a FEMA declaration before requesting a standalone declaration from the SBA.?

"Twenty days have passed, and I have not received a decision on that request. Further, there is no indication that I will receive a decision soon. Therefore, I am requesting a Rapid Disaster Declaration from SBA," Governor DeWine wrote in the letter.?

*ATTACHMENT: Governor's Letter to SBA* [ [link removed] ]


*-30-*

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







________________________________________________________________________

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] ]