Ohio Governor Mike DeWine week in review (Jan. 8-12)

COLUMBUS — A look back at the news and happenings from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's staff from Jan. 8-12. Jan. 8Lt. Governor Jon Husted attended the biennial meeting of the Governor's Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is committed to preventing trafficking, serving victims, and supporting a coordinated system to investigate and prosecute human trafficking. Jan. 9DeWine and Husted joined Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, and DigitalC CEO Joshua Edmonds to announce an historic investment in a large-scale broadband expansion project to make high-speed, dependable internet more accessible and affordable for the entire city of Cleveland. "In a world where the internet has become nearly as essential as electricity, we know how important it is that our citizens are connected," DeWine said. "We are committed to closing the digital divide in Ohio – not just in rural parts of the state, but also right here in urban centers like Cleveland where affordability can be more of an obstacle than access." "If we want all Ohioans to participate in the modern economy, education, and health care systems, then we need to make sure that they have access to affordable, high-speed internet," said Husted. "While many underserved communities are in rural Ohio, Cleveland is an example of an underserved urban community. Through this investment, we hope to improve lives by connecting people to important services and opportunities." BroadbandOhio is supplying $10 million in grant funding for the project, while the city of Cleveland is providing up to $20 million in financial support. Jan. 10DeWine issued the following statement following Ohio House of Representatives vote on House Bill 68: "I continue to believe it is in the best interests of children for these medical decisions to be made by the child's parents and not by the government ." The Ohio Department of Development announced $21.6 million in funding to 29 communities to improve housing and provide homeownership and rental assistance for low- and moderate-income families. The Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) program partners with communities to preserve and improve Ohio's housing stock through various housing-related initiatives such as home renovation and repair, rental assistance, and more. "This funding is helping create environments across the state where every Ohioan can grow, succeed, and build brighter futures for their families," said DeWine. CHIP program grants are funded by the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and HOME Investment Partnership programs. "Homeownership is a dream for so many people, but costly repairs and skyrocketing rents often prevent that dream from becoming a reality," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. "We're proud to work with our local partners to remove these obstacles, transform our neighborhoods, and create a legacy of stability and prosperity for generations to come." Jan. 11DeWine visited the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to observe a workshop intended to prepare trainers to teach the science of reading to Ohio teachers. DeWine signed Executive Order 2024-02D, which prohibits a special procedure or surgery from being performed in an office setting when that special procedure or surgery is prohibited by rule or law from being performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgical facility. Husted provided the keynote address at the 2024 Dayton Business Journal Economic Forum. The Miami Valley had a prosperous 2023 when it landed the largest economic development deal in the state with Joby Aviation. DeWine, Husted, and Department of Development Director Mihalik announced the launch of the new Welcome Home Ohio program, which will invest $150 million to help improve access to housing across the state. "Quality housing contributes significantly to quality of life and is the foundation of strong communities," DeWine said. "As our state continues to thrive, we expect that more people will stay in Ohio and move to Ohio, and the Welcome Home Ohio program will allow us to work proactively to ensure that there is enough housing to sustain this growth." The program will provide $100 million in grants over the course of the biennium for landbanks to purchase, rehabilitate, or build qualifying residential properties for income-eligible Ohioans. Additionally, $50 million in nonrefundable tax credits will be made available to landbanks and eligible developers over the biennium for qualifying property rehabilitation and new construction once a property is sold. "There is a strong link between housing availability, economic growth, and quality of life," Husted said. "The good news in Ohio is that we have a record number of jobs, and our children and grandchildren don't need to leave Ohio to find great opportunities. However, unless you want them to live at home for the rest of their lives, we've got to build them someplace to live." Jan. 12DeWine gave opening remarks at the Ohio Auctioneers Association Conference. The two-day event in Lewis Center, includes educational seminars, awards programs, and a trade show. DeWine announced that the state will award nearly $4.8 million in grant funding to help local law enforcement agencies across Ohio cover costs associated with body worn-camera programs. A total of 108 law enforcement agencies will receive grant funding as part of the third round of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program. Of those agencies, 32 will use funding to create new body-worn camera programs and 76 agencies will dedicate funding toward expanding or upgrading existing technology. "Body-worn cameras are important for both the protection of our law enforcement officers and members of the public," DeWine said. "My administration is proud to support our police departments and sheriff's offices with the cost of this equipment so that agencies big and small can outfit their peace officers with cameras." Transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of body cameras," DeWine said. "Because of this funding, even more Ohio communities will begin using body cameras for the first time and provide a clearer, more complete picture of how their law enforcement agencies interact with the public."