WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, June 7, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending June 7, 2024

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 1, sponsored by State Representative Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), modifies the Campaign Finance Law regarding foreign nationals and ballot issues and House Bill 2, sponsored by State Representative David Dobos (R-Columbus), delays the deadline for a major political party to certify its presidential and vice presidential candidates to the Secretary of State for the 2024 general election.

Monday, June 3, 2024

Governor DeWine and Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, held a press conference at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce to announce that Dayton will host the 2025 Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine toured Ohio’s newest state park, Great Council State Park, just days ahead of the official ribbon-cutting and opening on Friday, June 7. Great Council, the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s 76th state park, celebrates Ohio’s Shawnee and pioneer past.   The architectural design of the 12,000-square-foot interpretative center is modeled after a traditional Shawnee longhouse. Inside, it features interactive exhibits, gallery spaces, a small theater, and a living stream with native aquatic life. Outside, visitors can explore a native plant prairie and a half-mile trail leading to the Little Miami River. “Fran and I are so pleased to see Great Council State Park open this week, so that Ohioans can learn more about the history of this special place in Greene County,” said Governor DeWine. “We invite Ohioans and people from around the country to learn more about the Shawnee people, the early settlers of this region, and what life was like in the 1770s.”

Governor DeWine has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden to support eight counties impacted by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes in early April, despite FEMA's assertion that damage does not reach the threshold for federal assistance. 

The weather events took place on April 1-4, 2024, causing significant damage to critical public infrastructure in Belmont, Monroe, Jefferson, Guernsey, Noble, Washington, Morgan, and Meigs counties.

"Frankly, we think FEMA's estimate is incorrect," said Governor DeWine. "The federal government's reliance on Google Earth and its failure to give local officials the opportunity to provide additional information to support its estimate is concerning. These eight Appalachian counties cannot afford to fix the tremendous amount of infrastructure damage on their own, and I believe it's the President's duty to step in and help."

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Governor DeWine gave remarks at the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities’ 2024 Mental Health & Addiction Conference. The annual conference provides an opportunity for behavioral health professionals and other stakeholders from across the state to come together to share best practices on efforts related to mental health, opiate and other addiction prevention, education, intervention, treatment, recovery, family supports, community engagement, and more. The theme of this year’s conference centers on Governor DeWine’s commitment to building a world-class system of mental health and addiction care in Ohio.

Governor DeWine joined Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day, his wife Nina, and leaders with The Ohio State Wexner Medial Center to discuss the importance of mental health at Ohio State’s Faces of Resilience event. The event focused on the importance of letting young people know that getting help for mental health issues is a sign of strength and resilience.

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted visited the Cincinnati Police Academy where he toured the training facility and met with recruits going through the 28-week training program. Following the tour, Lt. Governor Husted and State Representative Cindy Abrams discussed how the state has invested in law enforcement.

Governor DeWine signed an executive order authorizing the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to immediately classify nine synthetic opioids as Schedule I controlled substances, effectively banning their sale and use in the state.

“These are extremely dangerous substances being designed by clandestine chemists in an attempt to skirt the law while keeping them highly addictive,” said Governor DeWine. “My administration is doing everything in our power to rapidly detect and schedule these types of compounds to ensure that law enforcement has the tools they need to prosecute those who make and sell these potentially lethal substances to the fullest extent of the law."

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Governor DeWine gave remarks at the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s 2024 Trustees Conference. The annual event provided members of the Boards of Trustees at Ohio’s 37 public colleges and universities with information, tools, and resources to help their institutions thrive.

Second Lady Tina Husted joined military and first responders at the Memorial Tournament’s Salute to Service brunch where she thanked them for their commitment and dedication to keeping our communities and country safe.

First Lady DeWine hosted two book readings in northwest Ohio to celebrate two of the newest local program partners of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio. First Lady DeWine wread a book at the Wood County District Public Library to celebrate Imagination Library partner Woodlink Libraries.  Woodlink is a collaboration between all seven public libraries in Wood County. She also visited the Kaubisch Memorial Public Library for a booking reading. The Friends of Kaubisch Memorial Public Library serve as the local program partner for part of Seneca County. Statewide, Ohio’s Imagination Library has enrolled 404,234 kids, totaling 61% of eligible kids in Ohio. Ohio’s Imagination Library mails kids one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month until their 5th birthday. All Ohio children – from birth to age 5 – are eligible to be enrolled in the program at no cost to their family by signing up here.

Governor DeWine joined Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles Jones and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks to announce a new initiative to reduce crashes in work zones. "Drivers are expected to slow down and pay attention in work zones, yet unsafe driving in road construction areas continues to be a serious problem," said Governor DeWine. "I've asked the Ohio State Highway Patrol to dedicate more resources to patrolling work zones, and troopers will have no tolerance for reckless drivers. We're doing this not only to protect road workers but for the safety of all travelers."

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Lt. Governor Husted traveled to Van Wert to visit Trucent Renewable Chemicals during a Teacher Bootcamp session. As part of the visit, he joined a roundtable discussion with participants followed by a tour of the facility where he saw the fluid separation technologies that produce oleochemicals derived from locally sourced vegetable-based feedstocks. Ohio's Teacher Bootcamp Program aims to incentivize teacher professional development and strengthen the quality of education in sectors like Broadband & 5G, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, Transportation, Advanced Manufacturing, or other Trades. The program provides reimbursement to Institutions of Higher Education for tuition costs of coursework taken by teachers to upskill themselves.

Ohio’s annual free fishing days on Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, give all residents a chance to fish at any public waterway without a license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. This includes Lake Erie, the Ohio River, and Ohio’s public lakes, reservoirs, streams, and rivers.  

"Free fishing days give Ohioans the opportunity to create special moments outdoors with their families," said Governor DeWine. "Ohio is the heart of adventure, and I encourage everyone to pick up a fishing rod and enjoy what our state parks have to offer."

Friday, June 7, 2024

Governor and First Lady DeWine welcome visitors to ODNR's Great Council State Park

Governor DeWine and First Lady DeWine joined Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz and Shawnee leaders to celebrate the grand opening of Ohio's 76th state park, Great Council State Park near Xenia.

Great Council State Park is located along U.S. Route 68 on the site of the historic seat of the 16th-century Shawnee village Old Chillicothe, which later became known as Oldtown. The site is regarded as a cherished reminder of Ohio's Shawnee history and pioneer past.  

Governor and First Lady DeWine, originally from nearby Yellow Springs, grew up hearing stories about Oldtown and had a special interest in the site. Other than a small historical marker, the property did not reflect the area's historical significance, and a motel was eventually built on the land.

“We always thought that with such a rich and storied history, Ohio needed to do something big to bring attention to this area," said Governor DeWine. "Great Council State Park, at its heart, is the preservation of Ohio’s history and a tribute to the Shawnee people and the pioneers. These are the stories that need to be told.”

All of Ohio’s State Parks, including Great Council, are free of charge.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957