WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, June 25, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending June 25, 2022

On Tuesday, Governor Mike DeWine announced that several state and local agencies are joining forces on a pilot program to make transit in Coshocton, Guernsey, Muskingum, and Tuscarawas counties easier to navigate and more efficient. The new program, Mobility Ohio will be a one-stop hub that will rely on agency coordination and next-generation software tools to allow people to conveniently schedule trips by phone or online.

The $2.8 million grant to create and fund Mobility Ohio is part of the Federal Transit Administration?s Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility program. For decades, state agencies across the U.S. have acted independently to develop their own programs and policies to provide transportation to eligible customers.

?No one should have to reach out to several different agencies just to schedule a trip to the doctor?s office, grocery store, or work,? said Governor DeWine. ?Mobility Ohio will coordinate trips with 40 transit providers to create a safe and reliable resource for transportation. We will continue to look for ways to make transportation more accessible for Ohioans.?

Also on Tuesday, Governor DeWine issued the following statement on last week's power outages:

"On Wednesday June 15, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio announced that it would conduct a review of all Ohio?s electric utilities related to electric power outages following storms that occurred on June 13th and actions that those utilities may or may not have taken.

I support this review and note that many of the questions Ohioans are asking in the light of these power failures should be reviewed as part of the PUCO process, including:

• What steps are Ohio?s utilities taking to ensure that the significant disruption Ohioans experienced last week does not occur again??
• Why certain central Ohio neighborhoods lost power and others did not?
• Why certain northeast Ohio communities took the better part of a week to come back online?
• Did utilities do enough to communicate to their customers ahead of planned power shut offs to protect the grid, especially when electronic communications cannot be accessed without electricity?

"I look forward to the findings of the PUCO."

Lt. Governor Husted speaks to NAIOP in Cincinnati on Tuesday morning.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted?traveled to Cincinnati Tuesday morning to speak with the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) about Ohio?s economic outlook.

Governor DeWine speaks at the National Governors Association Cybersecurity Summit in Columbus.

Governor DeWine provided remarks at the National Governors Association Cybersecurity Summit in Columbus on Wednesday.

Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced Wednesday that the state will aid in the rehabilitation of?38 historic buildings by offering nearly $40 million in tax credits as part of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program.?

In total, the Ohio Department of Development is awarding $39,874,792 in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits for rehabilitation projects in 19 communities located in 16 counties.?

?Preserving historic buildings is one tool we can use to build vibrant downtowns and create opportunity on our main streets throughout the state,? said Governor DeWine. ?These projects are just one piece of the larger picture to transform our communities and create even more exceptional places to live and visit.?

?Historic tax credits create value for communities by attracting investment that would not make sense otherwise,? said Lt Governor Husted. ?Almost every legacy city in Ohio has a great old building that they wish someone would revitalize because it?s important to the community?s history and future?Historic Tax Credits make this hope a reality.?

Lt. Governor Husted announces two Brownfield Remediation Program grants in Zanesville on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Husted traveled to Zanesville to announce two Brownfield Remediation Program grants awarded to the Muskingum County Land Reutilization Corp. They will receive $120,000 for asbestos abatement at the Munson Elementary, which was built in the 1920s and used solely as an elementary school until 2005. The site has been vacant for 17 years and is in poor condition. Brownfield Remediation Program funds will allow for asbestos abatement throughout the site. After cleanup, the county plans to rehabilitate the property as mixed-income residential units.

The?Reutilization Corp will also receive?$1,850,000 for the cleanup of the Mosaic Tile building built in 1894. Brownfield Remediation Program funds will help to remediate asbestos and lead paint present. After remediation, the buildings will be demolished, and the site will be prepared for redevelopment.?

This?announcement?is part of Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted's (in conjunction with the?Ohio Department of Development) Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program that is awarding?$192 million?for projects impacting 41 Ohio counties to?help clean up contaminated properties in Ohio to make way for future economic development.?

Governor DeWine speaks about new upgrades to Ohio's BMV website, including the ability for users to renew their license online starting June 27th.

On Thursday,?Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced that Ohioans will soon be able to renew their driver?s license online, adding to the extensive list of services through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) that can now be completed at the newly upgraded BMV.Ohio.Gov, rather than in-person. The projects announced today underscore the administration?s commitment to transforming the BMV customer experience, significantly lowering the number of reasons Ohioans have to visit a BMV site.

?Our administration is dedicated to improving and enhancing the overall customer experience for Ohioans needing to visit the BMV by providing access to innovative options that better meet their needs,? said Governor DeWine. ?In just a few days, Ohioans will be able to renew their driver?s license online, which marks another major milestone in our mission to offer more online services to citizens when they are interacting with the state.? ?Since 2021, more than 2 million visits to the BMV have been avoided because of innovative online solutions led through this Administration,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?With every service that becomes available on the website, InnovateOhio is chipping away at any reason why Ohioans might have to go into the BMV. We have moved services online, so you never have to stand in line."

Governor DeWine issued the following statement regarding the announced retirement of Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel in 2023:

"Jim Tressel is often referred to as a champion, and he has embodied that term in his leadership as President of Youngstown State University. Not only has he championed the cause of YSU, but he has been a champion for the Mahoning Valley, a champion for investing in Ohio?s workforce and furthering economic development through university partnerships, and a champion for higher education across Ohio. Youngstown State has always been an important asset to the Mahoning Valley, and President?s Tressel?s work during his tenure has only solidified its importance. President Tressel will be deeply missed at YSU. Fran and I extend our best wishes to Jim and Ellen and their family, as well as thanks for a job well done."

Also on Thursday,?Governor DeWine and Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson announced today that the city of Nelsonville in Athens County will receive $171,000 in H2Ohio funding to improve drinking water quality and to upgrade aging water infrastructure. Nelsonville will use the H2Ohio funding to purchase new equipment that will support the long-term functionality of its drinking water system and help prevent the system from going offline for a significant periods of time.??? ?Clean and safe drinking water is vital for every community in Ohio, and I am pleased that H2Ohio is continuing to invest in infrastructure and equipment to assist communities like Nelsonville to provide a reliable source of water for residents," said Governor DeWine.?

Governor DeWine delivers remarks at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

On Friday,?Governor DeWine was in Dayton to congratulate the United States Space Force and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on the establishment of the National Space Intelligence Center and Delta 18.?

Lt. Governor Husted?issued the following statement regarding the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision:

"As we transition as a nation from Roe to Dobbs, we all need to do our best to understand and respect the heartfelt, genuine differences of opinions among our families, friends, neighbors and communities. Being an adoptee who started life in a foster home, my own experience helped shape my views on this issue. I?m here today because my birth mother chose life and put me up for adoption, which I know could not have been an easy decision for her. My prayer for all of us is this collective experience will build a more compassionate nation that values life."

Governor DeWine holds up a newly singed House Bill 371, a bill sponsored by Representatives Jean Schmidt and Sedrick Denson which revises the laws governing coverage of screening mammography and patient notice of dense breast tissue.

Governor DeWine signed?House Bill 193, House Bill 206, House Bill 371, House Bill 430, House Bill 447, House Bill 515, House Bill 518, House Bill 537, and?House Bill 583?into law on Friday.

Governor DeWine addresses the state regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

Governor DeWine gave a public address Friday evening regarding the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women?s Health Organization.?

Text of Remarks as Prepared Livestream Video Statement

Governor DeWine's Bold Beginning initiative is investing more than $1 billion to provide prenatal care, parenting classes, mentoring, education, and nutrition assistance to pregnant mothers and their families. Learn more about this ongoing support for mothers and children at boldbeginning.ohio.gov/mothers-and-children-first.?

Additionally, on Friday, Governor DeWine signed Executive Order 2022-11D, the Emergency Adoption of Rule 3701-47-07 of the Ohio Administrative Code by the Ohio Department of Health.? ?

The executive order permits the Ohio Department of Health to immediately adopt Rule 3701-47-07 which sets rules for Senate Bill 23 - commonly referred to as the Heartbeat Bill, which was signed into law by Governor DeWine in 2019.

Following the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization?today, U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett lifted the preliminary injunction which had prevented the state of Ohio from enforcing or complying with Senate Bill 23.

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Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957