COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine gave his State of the State address on Monday, focusing on several important issues affecting the state’s residents. The governor’s budget proposal reflects his commitment to making sure that all Ohioans have the tools they need to succeed.
One of the main priorities outlined in the governor’s speech was education. Governor DeWine highlighted the fact that 40% of Ohio students are not at their reading level and announced a plan to focus on reading and literacy. He said, “All Ohio children will have access to quality literacy curriculums.” The Ohio Department of Education will lay out a plan to make sure all Ohio students can master reading and provide funding to schools for literacy programs that meet standard expectations.
In addition to education, Governor DeWine also focused on supporting families. He announced plans to expand housing options for new and expectant mothers, repeal the sales tax on critical infant supplies like car seats, and offer a $2,500 per child state tax deduction. The governor also wants to ease adoption restrictions, extend healthcare coverage to all adopted children, and continue to improve the foster care system.
Governor DeWine proposed creating a new cabinet department, the Department of Children and Youth Services, to focus on the physical and mental health, foster care, and early childhood education of Ohio children. School safety remains a top priority, and the governor wants to expand school safety programs and provide funding for schools that want a school resource officer.
Career and technology schools were also a topic of interest, with the governor proposing a $300 million investment for improvements promoting their benefits. The governor also wants to provide need-based funding for community and regional colleges, award a $5,000-a-year scholarship to the top 5% of high school students, and invest in innovation hubs throughout the state.
Mental health was another major focus, with the governor proposing a community care system, better prices for treatment, and a comprehensive multi-year study into the workings of the brain and mental health issues. The governor also wants to increase the availability of housing for low-income families and improve the quality of Ohio nursing homes.
Governor DeWine’s budget also includes resources for police, such as body cameras and training for de-escalation and crisis intervention. He also proposed a next-generation 911 system and funding for first responders who use MARCS radios for communication.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a video statement in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address.
