WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, January 13, 2023

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending January 13, 2023

Governor DeWine being sworn in by Justice Pat DeWine with First Lady Fran DeWine holding the Bible.

On Sunday, surrounded by family and friends at his home in Cedarville, Governor Mike DeWine officially took the oath of office to begin his second term as governor.

"It is an honor to serve the citizens of Ohio for four more years," he said.?

Also on Sunday, immediately after being sworn in, Governor DeWine issued the following executive orders: 2023-01D to add ?status as a nursing mother? to the antidiscrimination in state government policy. 2023-02D to establish a youth mentorship program for state employees. 2023-03D to prohibit the use of certain foreign-owned applications, platforms, and websites on state owned or leased electronic devices. 2023-04D to create the Ohio Mental Health Insurance Office in the Ohio Department of Insurance to ensure compliance and to develop best practice standards for providing mental health and addiction insurance benefits. 2023-05D to address critical educational and training needs to support continued economic development across Ohio through a dynamically skilled, productive, and purposeful workforce.

Governor DeWine delivering his second inaugural address in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda

On Monday,?Governor DeWine delivered his second inaugural address during the?public swearing-in ceremony at the Statehouse.? Lt. Governor Jon Husted was also sworn in for his second term as the 66th Lt. Governor of Ohio.?

On Tuesday, applications opened for the Diversity & Inclusion Technology Internship Program - a great opportunity for Ohio college students looking to gain experience at some of Ohio's most innovative companies!

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine announced a $4 million grant for Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) to provide training and technical assistance for communities that are developing or implementing deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs to help those with substance use disorder get the help and treatment they need.

The initiative will support communities that have experienced an increase in violent crime. A new Substance Use Deflection Center of Excellence within NEOMED?s existing Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence will be established to undertake this work. The center will also conduct research on enhancing the effectiveness of deflection and diversion programs.

?The technical assistance resulting from this project will be an invaluable resource to Quick Response Teams (QRTs) around the state,? said Governor DeWine. ?Ultimately, we hope that by expanding access to resources, more Ohioans will get the help and treatment they need.?

Also on Wednesday, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) announced they are taking steps to improve safety along a section of Interstate 77 between state Route 18 and state Route 21 in northern Summit County.

From 2019-2022, this section of I-77 had 755 crashes resulting in 198 injuries and four fatalities. These statistics garnered the attention of OSHP and ODOT, who together developed plans to create the region?s latest Distracted Driving Safety Corridor.

On Jan. 3, Governor DeWine signed a bill that strengthens distracted driving laws in Ohio. The law goes into effect in April and makes the use of cellphones and other electronic communications devices while driving a primary traffic offense for all drivers and allows law enforcement to immediately pull over a distracted driver upon witnessing a violation.

?Ohio?s new law is part of a comprehensive plan to make Ohio?s roads safer for everyone,? said Governor DeWine. ?By strengthening prohibitions against distracted driving and enhancing patrols in problem areas, it?s our goal to bring about systemic change in driver behavior that discourages the use of electronic devices while driving.?

On Thursday,?Lt. Governor Husted traveled to?Wright State University to provide the keynote address at the?Dayton Business Journal?s 2023 Economic Forum where he discussed the state's workforce development efforts and economic outlook going into the new year.

Lt. Governor Husted delivering his remarks at the annual Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration.

Also on Thursday,?Lt. Governor Husted was the featured speaker at the 38^th annual Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration in Columbus.?

Lastly on Thursday, the Ohio Department of Development announced a partnership with the Women?s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV) to foster the development and support growth of Ohio women-owned businesses.

?Ohio remains focused on strengthening Ohio?s small businesses,? said Governor DeWine. ?Women-owned businesses often face unnecessary barriers to success, and we are dedicated to breaking down these barriers and providing more opportunities to help women-owned businesses thrive.?

Governor DeWine delivering his remarks at the 98th Annual Ohio Fair Managers Association Convention.

On Friday,?Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted gave remarks at the 98th Annual Ohio Fair Managers Association (OFMA) Convention.

Governor DeWine with the Ohio State Highway Patrol's 170th Academy Class.

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine attended the graduation of the?Ohio State Highway Patrol?s 170th?Academy Class.

Also on Friday,?Lt. Governor Husted attended the Ohio Broadband & 5G Sector Partnership Meeting to?announce that $12 million in grant funding through two programs will be allocated toward supporting Ohio?s Broadband & 5G Sector Partnership as it works to implement the state's broadband and 5G workforce strategy. ?Having a skilled telecommunications workforce is essential to our administration?s support of broadband expansion and deploying 5G,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?I look forward to seeing the work of the Sector Partnership continue and having local regions become leaders in the development of a skilled telecommunications workforce in Ohio.?

Lastly on Friday, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) announced that starting Jan.16 applications will be?accepted for the Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Feb. 20, 2023.

The Ohio Safe Room Rebate Program provides a rebate of up to 75% of the cost to install or construct a safe room ? up to a maximum of $4,875 ? to homeowners selected for the program. The rebate program will use a computerized random selection process to select names. After the drawing, selected applicants will be notified of their position on the priority list.

?Ohio is vulnerable to tornadoes, like the one we had in Dayton in 2019,? said Governor DeWine. ?A tornado can produce winds exceeding 200 mph and is capable of destroying most structures. A safe room is built to withstand these winds and airborne debris, and I urge Ohioans to learn more about this program and apply.?

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957