COLUMBUS – Saying this is “Ohio’s time,” Gov. Mike DeWine used his first State of the State address since the COVID-19 pandemic struck to promote the state’s recovery, its manufacturing health, and measures to support law enforcement.
The hourlong speech at the Statehouse Wednesday was the first DeWine has delivered since March 2020.
He called for more efforts to improve mental health treatment in Ohio and promised measures to invest in Appalachia and improve opportunities for children.
“I know that we are united in our deep love for Ohio and our belief that that every Ohioan deserves the chance to succeed, no matter where their ZIP code, not matter if they live in Appalachia, our cities, our suburbs, no matter who their parents are,” DeWine said.
He also asked lawmakers to pass priority legislation adding penalties for violent felons and toughening laws on distracted driving.
He avoided mention of the state’s ongoing bribery scandal and a failure to adopt new legislative maps that could force a new primary date.
The redistricting battle provided a target for Democrats who wrote off the speech as “bombast and bluster.”
“What we failed to hear is any plan for him to do his job and fix the redistricting mess he created,” state Democratic Party chair Elizabeth Walters said.
Looking ahead to a second term in office that is not guaranteed, DeWine said “our work is just beginning” as he outlined plans to improve community and in-school mental health support for children and more assistance for families to deal with mental health and addiction issues.
He called on lawmakers to create a permanent funding source for police training to address a system he called “haphazard.”
“We’re doubling down on our support for law enforcement by giving them more resources to keep the people of Ohio safe,” said DeWine, who recently signed a law eliminating the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed weapon, a bill that met with objections from police agencies statewide.
“Instead of working to pass commonsense gun laws, he yielded to his base and signed permitless carry and stand your ground into law, making Ohioans more vulnerable to gun violence than ever before,” Sen. Tina Maharath (D-Canal Winchester) said.
In responses to the speech, groups said DeWine’s promise of a bright future for the state depended on policies from his administration or the legislature.
“It’s encouraging to hear the optimism; it’s encouraging to hear the big vision. But what do these proposals actually look at and who’s actually being called in to share this vision?” said Hannah Halbert, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio, a progressive research organization. “Tax cuts overwhelmingly have benefited people who are very well to do, have very high income. And the majority of Ohioans, the bottom 60% of people earning money, have actually seen some increases in what they’re paying in taxes and fees.”
“We’ve been able to get through the COVID pandemic, we’ve come back with good, strong tax revenues, and that’s all very positive. But if you spend too much today that sometimes sets you up for problems when there’s a recession or something hits in the future,” Greg Lawson, with the conservative Buckeye Institute, said.
Minority Democrats countered DeWine’s speech by outlining their own priorities for the state.
“Democrats have a plan to build a better, stronger Ohio for all who live here. Our path forward would expand opportunity, grow good-paying jobs, and create an economy that works for everyone,” House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said.