| Monday, May 6, 2024
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio
Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced 21 new
economic development projects to transform communities along Ohio's
Appalachian waterfront.
As part of Ohio's Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative, more than $152
million will be awarded to communities in 12 counties to expand
access to local waterways, revitalize historic riverfront downtowns,
and create new tourism and recreational opportunities.
“When we launched this program, we asked our Appalachian communities
to think big, and that's exactly what they did,” said Governor
DeWine. “The projects we're announcing today were developed by those
living in our Appalachian riverfront communities because no one
knows what's needed to make this region thrive better than those who
live here."
“The Ohio River and its tributaries have long served as a source of
commerce and economic opportunity, however; Ohio has not maximized
these resources for recreation, tourism and, improving the quality
of life for the people who live there,” said Lt. Governor Husted.
“Better days are on the way as this investment will make all of
these communities a better place to live and play.”
Governor DeWine issued a statement on
the death of Ohio Republican Party Vice Chairman Douglas "Doug"
Wills.
"Fran and I were saddened to learn of the death of Ohio Republican
Party Vice Chairman Doug Wills.
"Doug served the Republican Party as the chairman of the
Tuscarawas County Republican Party for many years and at the state
level was on the State Central Committee. Doug was elected vice
chairman of the Ohio Republican Party at the end of April.
"Doug was not only a leader of the Republican Party, he was also a
major force in the success of civic and community organizations in
Tuscarawas County, including the Tuscarawas County Fair Board,
Tuscarawas County Board of Elections, and the Tuscarawas County
Agricultural Board. Doug was a good person and will be missed.
"Fran and I extend our condolences to his wife, Barb, and to their
family and friends."
Lt. Governor Husted kicked off In-Demand Jobs Week at Pickaway-Ross
Career Center as the school broke ground on a new $7.6 million
expansion funded through the Career Tech Construction Grant. It will
serve an additional 100 students each year.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Lt. Governor Husted visited New Lexington High School to tour the
Workforce Development Center and meet third through fifth grade
students participating in the school’s Emergent Welding Program. The
program introduces students to welding at an early age.
Governor DeWine visited with members of the Hayward Middle School
STEM Club. Hayward Middle School was the first school in Ohio to
start a drone soccer team and just returned from Washington, D.C.,
where they participated in the Drone National Soccer Championship.
The club is sponsored by the Braxton Miller Foundation.
Lt. Governor Husted joined Buckeye Hills Career Center for a Blue
Collar event celebrating students who have signed on to a career in
Ohio. The school also broke ground on a new training complex to
serve an additional 110 students each year. Buckeye Hills Career
Center was awarded funding through the Career Tech Construction
Grant to allow the school to add or expand five career-focused
programs.
Lt. Governor Husted visited Crownover Lumber in Vinton County to
learn about the lumber industry and its supply chain in Ohio. The
company has been in business in Ohio since 1957.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Lt. Governor Husted toured several programs at Tri-Rivers Career
Center in Marion, including the construction trades lab. Tri-Rivers
was awarded a Career Tech Construction Grant and a Super RAPIDS
Grant, allowing the school to grow its programs to graduate more
career-ready students.
Governor DeWine hosted the 44th Annual Ohio Governor's Holocaust
Commemoration at the Ohio Statehouse.
The event featured Chihiro Sugihara, who shared the story of his
grandfather, Chiune Sugihara, who served as a diplomat in Lithuania
and defied orders from his superiors in order to save more than
6,000 Jewish refugees from Nazi persecution by issuing transit visas
through Japan. The event also featured Sonia Milrod, the daughter of
Holocaust survivors, one of whom received a transit visa from Chiune
Sugihara.
After the Statehouse event, there was a screening of the first
episode of the documentary "A Train Near Magdeburg," a four-part
series about the liberation of 2,500 Jews by U.S. soldiers in the
heart of Nazi Germany during the final days of World War II.
Lt. Governor Husted visited Libbey
Glass in Toledo, which opened in Lucas County 136 years ago, making
Toledo "The Glass Capital of the World."
Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Development announced
$3.1 million in grants to support localized efforts to improve
energy efficiency.
The funding comes from the Advanced Energy Fund, which allocates a
total of $8.5 million to help businesses, nonprofits,
municipalities, educational institutions, and others complete
energy-efficiency projects designed to reduce costs, better the
environment, and improve the lives of people in Ohio’s communities.
"Investing in energy-efficiency projects is a catalyst for economic
growth and community well-being," said Governor DeWine. “This
funding allows for important energy efficient upgrades and cost
savings for various buildings and facilities throughout Ohio.”
Lt. Governor Husted visited Vanguard Sentinel Career and Technology
Center in Fremont to tour a number of programs. The career center
received a Career Tech Construction Grant and a Career Technical
Education Equipment Grant for a total of $9.4 million, allowing them
to serve an additional 200 students each year.
Governor DeWine issued the following statement regarding the Ohio
State Teachers Retirement System (STRS):
"I have been closely monitoring the ongoing news regarding the Ohio
State Teachers Retirement System (STRS). Our state pension systems
have an obligation to retirees to ensure their investment portfolios
and accounts are stable and financially sound, so that they have the
financial resources to serve retirees, both now and in the future.
"I supported the efforts of the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber
and the Ohio Retirement Study Council to conduct numerous audits to
help ensure STRS is providing the best management and oversight of
their pension funds. These audits have resulted in several dozen
recommendations to 'improve fiduciary performance,' including
'improvements in STRS’ use of committees,…a ‘revitalization’ of
investment and audit committees, and the creation of a board
governance committee.' These recommendations resulted in STRS
retaining a nationally renowned consulting firm, Aon, to provide
guidance on corporate governance.
"Recently, we learned that Aon is severing its contract with STRS.
This is a huge red flag, calling into question how STRS is operating
and providing oversight. The unstated implication is that the
governance issues at STRS are so concerning that Aon could not
continue its contract in good faith. STRS may now be out of
compliance with portions of audit recommendations due to Aon ending
the contract.
"Additionally, my office has received documents containing some
other disturbing allegations regarding the STRS board. I have
directed my staff to forward these documents to a number of relevant
offices, including the Ohio Ethics Commission, the Ohio Retirement
Study Council, Attorney General Yost, Auditor Faber, Treasurer
Sprague, Secretary of State LaRose, and relevant members of the Ohio
General Assembly. I encourage them to review the document and take
any action that may be appropriate under any jurisdiction they may
have."
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Lt. Governor Husted kicked off the second day of the Allied
Construction Industries Construction Career Days in Lebanon, one of
the largest construction hiring and exploration events in the
nation. He also had the chance to walk around the exhibits to meet
employers and students in attendance.
Governor DeWine, First Lady Fran
DeWine, and Lt. Governor Husted will join the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources for a grand opening celebration of Great Council
State Park on Friday, June 7.
Great Council State Park is Ohio’s newest state park, and is
located in what used to be called “Old Chillicothe,” a vibrant
Shawnee town founded in the 1770s and led by Chief Blackfish.
“Fran and I are excited to open a brand-new state park in Ohio that
honors the state’s natural and cultural heritage,” Governor DeWine
said. “Great Council State Park will feature an immersive
interpretive center for visitors to learn about Ohio’s Shawnee and
frontier history.”
Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of
Development Director Mihalik announced 18 new economic development
projects that will significantly improve waterfronts, trails, parks,
and historic downtown districts in Ohio's Appalachian region.
More than $51 million will be awarded to 18 communities in 10
counties as part of the $500-million Appalachian Community Grant
Program, which was created by the DeWine-Husted Administration and
Ohio General Assembly to reinvigorate Appalachian communities and
rebuild local economies. The grants announced this week represent
the final projects to be funded through this transformational
program.
"We believe in the people of Appalachia, and we believe in their
vision for the future," said Governor DeWine. "The half-billion
dollars we've invested in Appalachia will create new opportunities
that add to the quality of life for those living in this beautiful
and historic region and spur economic growth that will be
life-changing for many Ohioans."
“This is just the beginning of more economic opportunities for
Appalachia and creates change that allows Ohioans in this region to
enjoy the affordable, high-quality life that can only be found in
Ohio,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “It’s about investing in the
innovation and potential of communities so they can grow and succeed
in every corner of our state.”
Lt. Governor Husted visited GE Aerospace’s new headquarters in
Evendale to learn about the company's operations and the
opportunities available to Ohioans.
Lt. Governor Husted toured Greene County Career Center in Xenia,
which received a Career Technical Education Equipment Grant and a
Super RAPIDS Grant. The funding will allow the school to expand to
serve more students.
Friday, May 10, 2024
Governor DeWine joined Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to announce
that the states have received federal environmental approval to move
the $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project forward,
without tolls.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a decision this
week that concludes the federal environmental review, allowing the
project to advance to design and construction.
“This is an important step forward in bringing efficiency to our
nation’s supply chain. The project will address one of the worst
truck bottlenecks in the nation by improving safety and travel on an
interstate connection that carries more than $400 billion worth of
freight every year,” said Gov. DeWine. “It’s also a big step in
reducing the frustration and inconvenience drivers have experienced
in the corridor for more than 20 years.”
Lt. Governor Husted visited Normandy High School in Parma, which is
one of five schools to receive a Career Tech Construction Grant,
allowing them to expand their Carpentry and Auto Collision programs.
The Lt. Governor ended the day at Goyal Industries in Mansfield
where he toured one of the companies that makes up Ohio’s booming
manufacturing industry and visited with local industry leaders on
the successes the region is seeing.
Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Jennifer Petrella to
the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations
Division.
Petrella, of Dayton, will assume office on June 3, 2024, and will
be taking the seat formerly held by Judge Denise Martin Cross, who
retired. She will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and
will need to run for election in November 2024 to retain the seat.
Governor DeWine signed the following
bills into law:
* Senate Bill 90, sponsored by Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson),
enters into the Social Work Licensure Compact.
* House Bill 161, sponsored by former Representative Jessica Miranda
(D-Forest Park) and Representative Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville),
eliminates the spousal exceptions for the offenses of rape, sexual
battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual
imposition, sexual imposition, and importuning and to permit a
person to testify against the person's spouse in a prosecution for
any of those offenses.
* House Bill 195, sponsored by Representatives Steve Demetriou
(R-Bainbridge) and Sean Brennan (D-Parma), creates an adaptive
mobility dealer license.
* House Bill 269, sponsored by Representative Adam Holmes (R-Nashport),
updates the name of one organization receiving contributions for the
"ALS Awareness" license plate and designates a portion of State
Route 60 in Muskingum County as the "Sgt Bradley J. Harper USMC
Memorial Highway."
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