Governor Mike DeWine




*WEEK IN REVIEW*
Friday, March 25, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

"For the week ending March 25, 2022

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DREAM

On *Monday [ [link removed] ]*, Governor Mike DeWine announced that a new drug education and mentorship pilot program launched in several elementary schools in Ohio.

The Drug Resilience Education Awareness Mentorship (DREAM) program was developed by the?Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, [ [link removed] ]?Ohio Task Force Commanders Association, and Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association, with support from RecoveryOhio.

?The DREAM program provides Ohio educators, local law enforcement officers, parents, guardians, and others with a new opportunity to have important age-appropriate discussions with kids about drug use and how it can negatively impact their futures,? said Governor DeWine. ?The new DREAM program is another tool to help reinforce the drug-free message early and often.?

The pilot program is currently in multiple K-3 classrooms in Ohio and will later expand to older age groups. The K-3 program pilot sites include Colerain Elementary and Taylor Elementary (Hamilton County), Wickliffe Elementary (Lake County), RC Waters Elementary (Ottawa County), Antwerp Elementary (Paulding County), Glacier Ridge Elementary (Union County), and a home school group in Marion County.

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Lt. Governor Husted holds up the newly cut ribbon at the grand opening for Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio.

Lt. Governor Husted holds up the newly cut ribbon at the grand opening for Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio's (HALO) new $124 million facility.

Also on *Monday*, Lt. Governor Jon Husted spoke at the grand opening event for Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio's (HALO) new $124 million facility featuring the world's most advanced wind tunnel.

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2022 State of the State Logo
Governor DeWine speaking at the 2022 State of the State Address.

Governor DeWine speaks to the General Assembly at the 2022 State of the State Address.

Governor DeWine delivered his 2022 State of the State Address to the Ohio General Assembly on *Wednesday [ [link removed] ]*. The speech highlighted the DeWine-Husted Administration's successes accomplished in partnership with legislators while also focusing on future initiatives to help all Ohioans.

Governor DeWine delivers his State of the State Address.

?Now is the time to ?seize our Ohio moment!?? Governor DeWine stated during the address.

Governor DeWine touted the Ohio economy's successes including?the state budget being balanced, the state's bond rating being its highest since 1979, and the unemployment rate -- now down to 4.3 percent -- is at lows touched in only two other periods in our state?s history.? In addition the Governor highlighted $1.2 billion slashed in state spending and tax cuts of $3.6 billion leaving more money for businesses to reinvest and more money in the pockets of Ohioans.

Among the highlights in the address where Governor DeWine laid a bold vision for Ohio?s future:



*Mental Health*

Governor DeWine made transforming mental health services a keystone goal for his administration, calling for investing significant resources in making help visible assessible, and effective.

?I see an Ohio that harnesses the innovative potential of our research colleges and universities to conduct strategic, cutting-edge research.? ?An Ohio with fewer emergency room visits and where fewer Ohioans with mental illnesses are living on the streets.? An Ohio where mental illness isn't criminalized. lessening pressure on the criminal justices system."??

?We can create the opportunity for people with mental illness or addiction to build the skills to lead joyful, meaningful lives.? And if we do, it will result in reduced community costs and more people working -- and contributing -- to the vitality of their communities.?

*State Parks*

Governor DeWine laid our a vision for Ohio state parks to be the best state parks in the country.

"From Maumee Bay to Geneva to Lake Hope to Great Seal to Hueston Woods to John Bryan, our state parks are the crown jewels of Ohio, and they add so much to our quality of life and what makes Ohio such a great place to live.?

*Appalachia*

Governor DeWine reaffirmed his commitment to Ohio's Appalachian region to ensure no Ohio citizen is left behind.

?One of the most important things we can do that will benefit -- not only the 32 counties in the Appalachian region, but also our entire state -- is to make a long-overdue, comprehensive investment in Appalachia,?

*Mentors*

Emphasizing the importance of adult guidance for young people, Governor DeWine talked about his plan to work with the Ohio General Assembly and with community leaders and our colleges and universities to create a combined scholarship and mentorship program so that no child in this state lacks guidance and direction and has the financial support necessary to go to college or technical school.

?Our state's economy -- our state -- will not fully flourish if we leave these kids behind.? There is so much untapped potential that our state cannot afford to waste.

*Distracted Driving*

Changing the culture around using electronic devices while driving has been a priority of Governor DeWine's. More drivers putting down their phones and using hands-free technology will help prevent crashes, save lives, and make our roads safer.? He called on the General Assembly to pass House Bill 283

*Law Enforcement*

Governor DeWine reiterated his commitment to funding the police.

"We are doubling down on our support for law enforcement by giving them more resources -- not fewer -- to keep our communities safe!?

?We need to get tough on on the convicted violent offenders who carry and use weapons in violation of the law.? If we can remove this small group of dangerous offenders from our streets, the violent crime in our distressed neighborhoods will be reduced dramatically, and the citizens and families who live there will be safer and lives will be saved.?

*Imagination Library*

Governor DeWine also took time to note the success of the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library. The legislature provided the funds to get the Ohio Governor?s Imagination Library, which was created by First Lady Fran DeWine in partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, started. Local communities also provide half of the money to operate the program in their counties.?

?We know that a child?s brain is 80 percent developed by the time they turn three years of age.? So, these first years of development are so very important.? Enrollment in the Imagination Library improves Kindergarten readiness and family literacy habits.? And, no matter where you live in Ohio, your child is eligible.?

*Resources*

Governor DeWine's Remarks (as prepared) [ [link removed] ]

State of the State Highlights [ [link removed] ]

Ohio Channel? [ [link removed] ]

Governor DeWine speaks at the State of the State Address.________________________________________________________________________

Governor DeWine pictured with a firefighter following the Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at COSI on Wednesday.

Governor DeWine speaks at the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame induction ceremony at COSI on Wednesday.

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Governor DeWine pictured with a firefighter following the Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at COSI on Wednesday.

Following the State of the State Address on Wednesday, Governor DeWine attended the 41st Annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame induction ceremony at COSI where he delivered remarks and visited with dozens of firefighters from around the state.?

This event helped honor the firefighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice, first responders who have gone above and beyond the call of duty protecting the citizens of Ohio, as well as civilians who stepped up to save the life of a fellow human being.??

Currently, Ohio has the commitment and dedication of over 50,000 fire and EMS providers, protecting our communities through the provision of a fundamental community service.?


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In honor of the life and legacy of Portsmouth Firefighter and EMT Edward Long, Governor DeWine?ordered [ [link removed] ]?on *Wednesday* [ [link removed] ] that flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Scioto County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of his funeral.

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First Lady DeWine read an Imagination Library book to preschool children in the St. Anthony?s Head Start program. ?

Following the press conference, First Lady DeWine read an Imagination Library book to preschool children in the St. Anthony?s Head Start program.

Governor DeWine and First Lady DeWine celebrated the success of the Ohio Governor?s Imagination Library program in Jefferson County on *Thursday*.

The Ohio Governor?s Imagination Library mails one age-appropriate book to enrolled Ohio children each month until their fifth birthday.? The program is free to Ohio families. Currently in Ohio, 312,132 children receive the books each month, which represents 43% of eligible children. ?

As part of the statewide effort to make these books available to all Ohio children, Jefferson County?s Imagination Library was established in February of 2020.? Today, 54% of the county?s eligible children are enrolled, which amounts to 1,906 children who receive a book each month.??

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In accordance with the orders issued by the President of the United States of America and in honoring the life and service of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Governor DeWine?ordered [ [link removed] ]?on *Thursday* [ [link removed] ] that flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio until sunset on March 27, 2022.

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This week, Governor DeWine made the following appointments:


* David M. McNamee to the Xenia Municipal Court in Greene County
* William C. Randolph to the Hillsboro Municipal Court in Highland County.
* Robert G. Hanseman and Kimberly A. Melnick to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

Additionally, the Governor signed?Executive Order 2022-04D [ [link removed] ]?authorizing?a one-time Medicaid emergency rule to distribute relief funds to home- and community-based non-waiver service providers.?

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







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