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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review for the Week Ending of January 27, 2023

Government and Politics

January 30, 2023

From: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine

On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Director Maureen Corcoran launched Comprehensive Maternal Care (CMC) – a community-based, statewide program aimed at improving the health and well-being of moms, infants, and families covered by Medicaid. CMC was announced in September of 2022 as part of Governor DeWine’s Bold Beginning: Healthy, Supported Families.

“Giving all Ohioans the best possible start at life truly begins before a child is even born and that means ensuring the child’s family has access to the resources they need,” said Governor DeWine. “Personalized access to those supports from trusted community partners and high-quality, responsive care that focuses on patients lead to better, healthier outcomes for mothers, babies, and their families.”

Also on Monday, in accordance with the order issued by the President of the United States of America and in remembrance of the victims of the shooting in Monterey Park, California, Governor DeWine ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state until sunset on January 26, 2023.

Lastly on Monday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted traveled to Dover to join JobsOhio and Agile Networks in kicking off their Digital Access Ohio Initiative in which a tower will be activated, expanding broadband access for those in the area. The activation will help facilitate internet access for as many as 2,400 households and 125 businesses in the area surrounding the tower. 

On Tuesday, Governor DeWine hosted a roundtable discussion with U.S. Department of State Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Ukrainian-American community leaders and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees.

Also on Tuesday, Governor DeWine  announced that he is nominating Patricia Harris to be the next commissioner of the Ohio Department of Taxation. If confirmed by the Ohio Senate, Harris will replace Jeff McClain, who retired from the Ohio Department of Taxation in 2022. 

"Patricia Harris’s extensive experience overseeing operations and employer services at Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation (BWC) and experience in overseeing customers’ concerns with BWC injury claims will be particularly valuable in ensuring continued quality customer service at the Department of Taxation. Combined with her experience as a Chief Operating Officer, Patricia Harris is well qualified to lead the Ohio Department of Taxation,” said Governor DeWine.

On Wednesday, Ohio. Find It Here. launched its Winter in Ohio campaign. 

“Winter is the perfect time for families to find amazing adventures in Ohio and make lasting memories,” said Governor DeWine. “Ohio offers many opportunities for travelers to get away without having to go too far.”

On Thursday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced a new plan that, when complete, will eliminate nearly one-third of the Ohio Administrative Code by targeting duplicative provisions, outdated sections, and unnecessary requirements.

Under the direction of Lt. Governor Husted, Ohio’s Common Sense Initiative (CSI) was tasked with identifying sections of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) that are no longer used, duplicative or unnecessary. As a result, plans are currently in motion to remove nearly one-third of the Ohio Administrative Code, which equates to more than 5 million words and over 20,000 pages from Ohio’s regulatory system.

“This kind of reduction is truly historic,” said Governor DeWine. “It’s another example of how Ohio is leading. When site selectors are looking for the best place to open or expand a business, they look at our regulatory code. When they do that, we want them to find useful information about operating in Ohio, not tons of red tape.”

"There has been a lot of talk about eliminating unnecessary regulations, and we are doing it,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “This is common-sense regulatory reform that will make it easier for people and businesses to comply with the law, and it will save everyone time and money.”

On Friday, Governor DeWine observed Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

"On Jan 27th, we join with millions around the world to remember the victims of the Holocaust," he said. "With the number of survivors growing fewer with each passing year, it our shared responsibility to preserve the memory of the victims and ensure that the past is never forgotten."

Also on Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the locations of more blighted and vacant structures that will be demolished to make room for new economic development.

A total of 599 additional structures in 15 counties will be demolished with support from the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, which was created by the DeWine-Husted Administration to help local communities demolish dilapidated commercial and residential buildings.

The projects announced bring the total number of demolition projects funded through the program to 3,699 projects in 87 counties, including 825 projects announced in October and 2,275 projects awarded in early December.

“By ridding our state of eyesores that  are hindering development and impacting property values, we can revitalize our communities and attract new investments, businesses, jobs, and housing opportunities,” said Governor DeWine. "Many of our communities have truly transformative ideas for these properties, and I'm pleased that we're able to help remove these barriers to development."

“In many communities, there are abandoned buildings that with some help could be demolished and the land reused for new businesses, housing or recreation,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “Today that help is arriving in the form of demolition grants that will renew 599 sites across Ohio.”