By 1812Blockhouse; Office of Governor DeWine news release
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that more than 900 additional schools will receive state funding support for physical safety and security upgrades as part of the latest round of Ohio’s K-12 School Safety Grant Program.
Governor DeWine made the announcement Thurssday morning while visiting Lakewood High School in Cuyahoga County, which is one of 945 schools that will receive a combined $68 million in grants as part of the fourth round of the program. A fifth round of funding will be announced in coming weeks.
A total of 11 Richland County schools received $589,627 in funding.
A total of $112 million was allocated for the fourth and fifth rounds of the grant program by the Ohio General Assembly as part of House Bill 45, which was signed by Governor DeWine last month. The investment more than doubles the initial allotment of of $105 million for the program provided by Ohio’s operating budget and the American Rescue Plan Act.
More…By Susan Tebben, Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made clear Tuesday that his priorities during this budget cycle center on child literacy, mental health, and spending to bring in big business.
In his annual State of the State address to a joint meeting of the General Assembly, DeWine announced big money moves included in his proposed budget, including $2.5 billion in one-time monies to ready construction sites for major business, and per-child tax credits he says will help bring better health and education outcomes.
“Our future is bright — but that future will be defined by how well we educate all our children and how we tear down the barriers to their success,” DeWine said.
More…By Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal
While Ohio House and Senate lawmakers organize committees and prepare for the coming session, Gov. Mike DeWine is putting the finishing touches on the last one. So far this week, the governor has signed 23 bills into law and vetoed one.
DeWine rejected HB 286, sponsored by Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati. The bill would have allowed legal challenges for certain agency orders to occur in the county where a business or a person resides.
The changes applied to agencies handling liquor control, workers compensation, medicine, chiropractors, nursing, and the casino control commission. Existing law sends those challenges the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, which Seitz criticized in his sponsor testimony.
More…By Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio’s mayors are urging state lawmakers to work with them while warning the legislature not to interfere in local governance.
The Ohio Mayors Alliance includes the leaders of the state’s 30 biggest cities, which includes Mansfield. The group spans the political spectrum and they met in Columbus Friday to discuss their agenda for the coming year.
The chief issues on their minds boil down to money and authority.
More…By 1812Blockhouse; Governor DeWine Press Release
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that more than 1,000 K-12 schools across Ohio will receive state assistance to pay for security upgrades that enhance the safety of students and staff.
While speaking recently at the Ohio School Safety Summit in Columbus, Governor DeWine announced that 1,183 schools in 81 counties will receive nearly $47 million in grant funding as part of his Ohio K-12 School Safety Grant Program. Grants equal the amount requested by each school up to $50,000. Funds will be used to cover expenses associated with physical security enhancements such as security cameras, public address systems, automatic door locks, visitor badging systems, and exterior lighting.
Several of those schools are located in Richland County; a full list is included below.
More…By 1812Blockhouse, State of Ohio Press Release
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted have announced state support for 112 brownfield remediation projects that will help clean up contaminated properties in Ohio to make way for future economic development.
As part of the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, the Ohio Department of Development is awarding $192 million for projects impacting 41 Ohio counties.
One of those projects is along Park Avenue West in downtown Mansfield.
“These properties are vital spaces in our communities, ones that are not only being wasted in their current capacity, but oftentimes are a danger to their local communities,” said Governor DeWine. “Today, we’re reclaiming these spaces for the future of our residents, businesses, and communities.”
More…Economic Development, Featured, Historic Preservation, State of Ohio
By 1812Blockhouse
The 2022 Ohio Capital Bill, passed by overwhelming margins in both the Ohio House and Senate, means that several proposed Richland County projects are receiving funding.
The measure includes the state’s two year $3.5 billion construction budget that includes statewide initiatives, business and industry incentives, and local projects advanced by lawmakers.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said of the bill, “I thank the General Assembly for their partnership in supporting these important projects across Ohio which will make a tremendous impact and continue job growth in our state. House Bill 687 also creates a significant and historic investment into our state parks, which are true gems which can be enjoyed by all Ohioans and those who support our tourism industry.”
More…Special to 1812Blockhouse
On Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), and statewide law enforcement partners have developed a new communication card to help individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing exchange information with law enforcement.
The new card, which can be downloaded onto a phone or printed and stored inside a vehicle, wallet, or purse, includes various pictures that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can point to in order to help them more easily communicate during interactions with law enforcement.
“Removing barriers for Ohioans with disabilities is crucial for helping them live self-determined, independent lives,” said Governor DeWine. “This new communication tool will improve safety for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community as well as law enforcement officers across the state.”
More…By 1812Blockhouse; Office of Governor DeWine
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today awarded more than $3.7 million to 21 local law enforcement agencies to help them strategically combat violence in their communities.
One of those agencies is here in Richland County.
The 21 agencies are the first to receive funding through Governor DeWine’s new Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Governor DeWine, in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly, created the program last year to give local law enforcement additional tools to hold accountable the small number of criminals responsible for most violent crime in the state.
More…Featured, Grants, Mansfield Division of Police, State of Ohio
Special to 1812Blockhouse; From Office of Rep. Marilyn John and Ohio State Controlling Board
The state controlling board has approved the release of $152,943.00 for three separate projects in Richland County.
First, The Ohio State University requested and received $32,887.00 for a boiler replacement at the Recreation Center Life Safety project, which will allow the programmatic goals of the project to be further enhanced by accepting all alternates in the Boiler Replacements project.
This project will replace the existing boiler in the Campus Recreation Center that is original to the building, and two existing boilers in the Eisenhower Memorial Center that were installed in 1991.
More…Construction Projects, Featured, OSU Mansfield, State of Ohio