WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, April 26, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending April 26, 2024

Monday, April 22, 2024

Lt. Governor Jon Husted hosted a roundtable discussion with school leaders from Southwest Ohio focused on phone policies in K-12 schools.

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks at Southern Hills Career & Technical Center's groundbreaking ceremony. The expansion project was made possible by a $4.6 million Career Technical Construction Program grant, helping the school expand their facility to add two new programs ? Welding Fabrication and Allied Health Care ? to serve up to 100 additional students.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio will become the first state in the nation to begin screening all newborn babies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

The provision was included in HB 33, the state?s budget bill for Fiscal Years 2024-25, which Gov. DeWine signed in July 2023. It added DMD to the list of 40 other rare medical conditions included in the Ohio Department of Health?s (ODH) Newborn Screening program.

?Today, Ohio is the first state in the country to screen for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in newborns,? said Governor DeWine.? ?Adding DMD to the list of screenings newborns receive ensures that parents will be able to start initiating care early for children who are diagnosed with this condition.?

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Governor DeWine delivered opening remarks at the Defense Logistics Agency Supply Chain Alliance Conference in Columbus.? Statewide, military and federal installations contribute nearly $40 billion to Ohio's economy and support approximately 380,000 jobs.?

Governor DeWine spoke to school board members at the Ohio School Boards Association 2024 State Legislative Conference in downtown Columbus. Governor DeWine talked about the importance of each school district implementing the science of reading into their curriculum.

Lt. Governor Husted visited the Pike County Career Technology Center to tour multiple programs. The career center was awarded $53,653 from the Super RAPIDS program to purchase equipment for their healthcare programs, serving an additional 40 students.?

Governor DeWine signs House Bill 34.

Governor DeWine signed House Bill 34, sponsored by Representatives Roy Klopfenstien (R-Haviland) and Angela King (R-Celina), which permits a prospective juror who is a mother who is breast feeding to be excused from jury service.

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks at the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council Annual Conference in Columbus. The conference is Ohio?s largest chemistry industry event of the year.

Governor DeWine issued the following statement regarding the death of former Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jerry Wray.

"Fran and I were saddened to learn of the death of our friend Jerry Wray.?

"I first met Jerry in 1989 when he was Licking County Engineer.? ?

"Governor George Voinovich appointed Jerry to lead the Ohio Department of Transportation, which he ran from 1991 to 1999, and as Lt. Governor I got to work closely with him. Jerry focused on reengineering ODOT to meet the needs of the modern era during the Voinovich administration and established the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) to ensure Ohio has an open and transparent project-selection process.?

"Jerry was passionate about transforming ODOT into an organization that displayed what he called ?excellence in government.? The changes he ushered in will benefit our state for decades to come.

"Jerry was the only two-time ODOT Director, having also been appointed by Governor Kasich to lead the department from 2011-2019.? His 16-year tenure as ODOT director is unprecedented.

"In 2022, I was pleased to be able to speak at the event naming the ODOT Central Office the Jerry Wray Building.? Jerry was a dedicated public servant and it is fitting that the building bears his name as he was beloved and respected by ODOT employees, contractors, and everybody who came into contact with him at work and in life.

"Fran and I send our condolences to his wife, Eva, and his many friends and colleagues."

Governor DeWine ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff at all ODOT facilities until sunset on the day of his funeral. The flags should also be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds throughout Licking County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower from sunrise until sunset on the day of his funeral.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Governor DeWine announces new JobsOhio network region, Lake to River Economic Development.

Governor DeWine and JobsOhio announced the addition of a new JobsOhio network region, Lake to River Economic Development. The new four-county region includes Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties in the far-east corner of Ohio.

The region is connected from Lake Erie in Ashtabula to the Ohio River in East Liverpool by State Route 11, providing strong infrastructure capabilities.

"This region of Ohio is experiencing new growth and is ready for even more prosperity,? said? Governor DeWine. ?Today we are pleased to celebrate this progress by completing the JobsOhio network with the addition of the Lake to River Economic Development region."

Ohio Second Lady Tina Husted visited the Dayton Foodbank to learn about its operations, including its workforce development and re-entry hiring initiatives.

Second Lady Husted toured East End Community Services in Dayton to see the in-progress renovation of the Whole Family Services Hub and hear about how the center serves community.

Second Lady Husted visited Brigid?s Path in Kettering, which is a newborn recovery center that provides specialized care for babies facing withdrawal from substance exposure.

Second Lady Husted visited the Boys & Girls Club of Dayton to take a tour of the facility and learn more about the programs the club offers. The club focuses on helping youth achieve academic success, practice civic and social engagement, live healthy lifestyles, and develop life and workforce readiness skills.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin?announced the recipients of $3 million in grants to create programs for teachers who need to complete additional qualifications to teach college courses under the College Credit Plus program.?

?Teachers play a critical role in shaping the future of Ohio?s students,? said Governor DeWine. ?These grants will empower our dedicated educators to expand their expertise and provide exceptional learning opportunities that will prepare students for success.??

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Intel announced a new H2Ohio partnership to protect and improve water quality in the Licking Watershed. ?Water means business here in Ohio, and we are excited about partnering with Intel on an H2Ohio project that aligns with a mission we are both dedicated to ? protecting our water,? said Governor DeWine. ?I appreciate that Intel cares as much as we do about the quality of Ohio?s water.? ?One of the reasons that Intel chose Ohio was because we are a water-rich state due to our abundant water resources, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?It?s important that we protect these resources, and today?s announcement will further that mission thanks to our partnership with Intel.?

Friday, April 26, 2024

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik? announced more than $800,000 to support essential training for Ohio companies and commercial drivers. ? The tax credit funding was awarded through the new Commercial Driver?s License Training Program, which was created to help alleviate the cost of training for Ohio employers and CDL drivers and to upskill current and future employees in today?s high-demand economy. ?We want Ohioans and prospective residents alike to know that in Ohio, they can get the skills they need to get a good-paying job in a way that?s affordable and accessible to them,? said Governor DeWine. ?We?re helping employers fill worker shortages in addition to fostering a culture of innovation and giving employees the knowledge needed to operate modern commercial vehicles.? "Earning a Commercial Driver?s License (CDL) opens the door to thousands of job opportunities and we aim to make it as easy as possible to earn one in Ohio,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?Ohio is a manufacturing and logistics state, and our economy needs a workforce with CDLs to move Ohio-made products to customers locally and from coast to coast.?

Governor DeWine joined the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Central State University for an Arbor Day tree planting. The event also commemorated ODNR?s 75th anniversary. The Division of Forestry is planting trees in each of Ohio?s 88 counties in celebration of the event.

Governor DeWine issued the following statement regarding reports that President Joe Biden is delaying a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes:

"I am deeply disappointed in President Biden?s decision to delay banning menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products. A new generation of Americans is becoming addicted to nicotine because of flavored tobacco and vaping products, including menthol. We need a uniform national flavor ban right away!"

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957