COLUMBUS, Ohio – The practical and the political will share the stage as Gov. John Kasich delivers his annual State of the State address in Wilmington.
As the first order of business, the Republican governor needs to appeal to state lawmakers gathered for the speech to support major policy changes on education, tax policy and social programs that he’s proposed in the two-year state operating budget that’s moving through the Statehouse.
The potential 2016 presidential contender also is expected to touch on sweeping national themes. Those include the example he believes Ohio’s economic rebound can set for other states and the need for citizens to embrace personal responsibility and other basic values to improve the national condition.
Tuesday’s speech marks the fourth consecutive year Kasich’s taken the address outside of Columbus, this time choosing a city that personifies Ohio’s recovery from the recession.
The loss of its major employer put Wilmington in the national spotlight. Now the community that was dubbed “ground zero” of the recession and drew help from celebrities such as Rachael Ray and Jay Leno hopes to be known as a comeback city.
Unemployment that topped 19 percent at its worst five years ago has fallen steadily, to below 6 percent.
Total jobs remain well below pre-recession numbers, and household incomes are down and poverty levels are up.
But the mayor says Wilmington can be like “the phoenix rising from the ashes.”