| Ohio Governor Mike
DeWine Week in Review For the week ending July 15, 2022
Governor DeWine speaks to the
crowd gathered in celebration of the I-70 new lane addition and
ribbon-cutting.
OnMonday,Governor Mike DeWine joined Ohio Department of
Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks and others to officially cut
the ribbon on a major reconstruction of Interstate 70 in Clark
County. The four-year, $50 million project included adding a third
lane in each direction between U.S. Route 68 and State Route 72, the
final stretch of four lane interstate remaining between Columbus and
Dayton.
“Ohio is a state that makes and moves things. As our economy
continues to grow, this additional capacity will help us meet the
demands of today and the future," said Governor DeWine. "At the same
time, we’re making this stretch of interstate safer by reducing the
pinch points that can often lead to congestion and crashes."
In addition to the new lanes, the project replaced the existing
pavement and seven bridges. Noise walls, improved drainage, and
cable barriers in the median were also installed to reduce the risk
of crossover crashes.
By eliminating two pinch points where the highway went from two to
three lanes in each direction, these improvements will make travel
safer and more reliable for the nearly 70,000 vehicles that use this
stretch of I-70 daily. Traffic volumes are expected to increase by
40 percent by 2033.
“The last few years have taught us a lot about the importance of an
unhindered supply chain. As truck traffic continues to increase in
Ohio, we have to make sure goods and workers can get to their final
destination safely and on time. This project ensures that Ohio isn’t
the chokepoint in the national supply chain,” said ODOT Director
Jack Marchbanks.
Governor DeWine, ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks, and several
others involved in the project cut the ribbon on the new I-70 lane
addition.
OnTuesday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the
Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the results
of the May round ofTechCred, which will provide the opportunity for
Ohioans to earn nearly 4,000 tech-focused credentials. This most
recent round marks a TechCred milestone, as the program has
officially reached and exceeded the goal outlined in the most recent
state budget to fund 20,000 industry-recognized, tech-based
credentials each year.
“With these results, we have exceeded our goal of funding 20,000
TechCred credentials each year, highlighting the continued need for
more technically skilled workers, specifically in the manufacturing
industry,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Technology and technical job
skills are becoming more important for Ohio’s economic future each
and every day, and TechCred is a great way for businesses to keep
their workforce competitive, while helping Ohioans upskill so they
can earn more and grow in their careers.”
Lt. Governor Husted announced that 293 Ohio employers were approved
for funding in the 14thround of the program, resulting in Ohio
employees earning up to 3,953 technology-focused credentials.
Manufacturing businesses topped the list of awarded credentials,
requesting nearly 1,900 tech-focused credentials. Since the start of
the program, almost half of the businesses using TechCred have been
awarded multiple times.
Governor DeWine speaks to a Goshen resident during his visit
to see the aftermath of last week's summer storms and tornadoes in
Brown and Clermont counties.
OnWednesday, Governor DeWine issued aproclamationdeclaring a state
of emergency in Brown and Clermont counties due to the damaging
conditions caused by last week's severe summer storms and tornadoes
that resulted in power outages and damages to homes and businesses.
“Brown and Clermont counties were hit with severe storms and three
confirmed tornadoes that affected the life, health, safety, and
welfare of many residents. We're blessed that no one was killed in
this storm, but it truly brings home to us how fragile life is, and
how in one minute, the world can fundamentally change,” said
Governor DeWine. “By declaring this state of emergency, we will
ensure that Brown and Clermont counties continue to receive the
state resources they need.”
The agency that has been called on to provide assistance is the
Ohio Department of Transportation.
Following 18 months of careful preparation, theOhio Department of
Mental Health and Addiction Services(OhioMHAS) is pleased to
announce that Ohioans experiencing suicidal crisis, mental health or
addiction-related distress will soon be able to call 988, an
easy-to-remember three-digit number to access free, 24/7,
confidential support for themselves or loved ones. The nationwide
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline goes live on Saturday, July 16.
“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” said
Governor DeWine. “988 is a statewide resource that will quickly
connect anyone who needs immediate support or crisis treatment to a
trained counselor who can listen and connect them with resources. I
encourage Ohioans who are in crisis themselves, or helping someone
who is, to call 988 for help.”
In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate
through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s (NSPL)
network of more than 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers
across the country. The service was established to improve access to
crisis services in a way that meets the nation’s growing suicide and
mental health related crisis care needs. The existing 10-digit
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) launched in
2005 and will remain active following the transition to 988, as will
local helplines and hotlines, keeping important safety nets in
place.
“Too often Ohioans in crisis don’t know where to turn for help, and
the stigma of asking can keep them from reaching out,” said OhioMHAS
Director Lori Criss. “We are working to change all this in Ohio.
Moving to a 3-digit crisis number helps increase the visibility of
the help available to Ohioans experiencing a mental health or
addiction crisis,” said Director Criss. “988 is more than just an
easy-to-remember number—it is a direct connection to a compassionate
person on the other line who is trained to provide support to anyone
in distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, emotional
distress, or substance use crisis.”
On Friday, Governor DeWine announced three judicial appointments:
* Jason M. Despetorichto the Hocking County Court of Common Pleas,
General and Domestic Relations Division
* Julie A. Schafer to the Medina County Court of Common
Pleas,Domestic Relations Division
* Anita Bechmann to the Clermont County Municipal Court
Additionally, the Governor made several appointments to several
boards today, including to the Central Ohio Technical College Board
of Trustees,State Lottery Commission,Transportation Review Advisory
Council,Education Commission of the States, and more.
OnFriday,Governor DeWine announced that the first payments of funds
to local governments from the OneOhio settlement with national
opioid distributors have been made electronically. Local governments
will determine how to use the payments, totaling more than $8.6
million, to best combat the opioid epidemic in their own
communities. Following these initial payments, governments will
continue receiving payments from the settlement over the next 18
years.
In 2017, as Ohio Attorney General, Governor DeWine was one of the
first in the nation to sue opioid makers and drug distributors for
their role in flooding the market with massive amounts of highly
addictive opioids.
“Ohio’s families and communities have been hit hard by the opioid
epidemic,” said Governor DeWine. “While nothing can make whole the
losses sustained by Ohioans who have been affected by opioids, it is
welcome news that the first payments are going out this week to
local governments.”
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