Mike DeWine talks continued improvements to Ohio during inauguration speech
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine gave his inaugural speech in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus Monday afternoon.
During his speech, DeWine highlighted the work his administration did during the COVID-19 Pandemic and improvements made to the state during his first term in office.
"Four years ago I asked the people of Ohio and this general assembly to do things where the results would not be immediate, but where they would be profound and where they would endure ... and this general assembly and the people of the State of Ohio did in fact act. We did move forward, we did act," DeWine said.
"We are building an Ohio where every child ... every child has access to quality child care, access to a good school, access to a positive role model and mentor," DeWine continued.
Other accomplishments highlighted included wider access to high-speed internet, job creation, toughness on crime, infrastructure improvements such as a brand new bridge across the Ohio River in Cincinnati and focusing on ending the stigma of addiction and mental health needs.
"We are working every day to rid Ohio of the stigma that comes with addiction and comes with mental illness and we will transform Ohio into the best state in the nation for mental health treatment," DeWine said.
DeWine also emphasized that Ohio is creating opportunities for all of its residents and urged outsiders to come into the state to start a new life.
"If you want to raise a family, get a good paying job and have an amazing quality of life, come to Ohio. If you want to start and grow a business in a state with low taxes and reasonable regulation, come to Ohio," DeWine said.
DeWine went on to highlight three "significant opportunities to showcase Ohio and to tell the world that Ohio really is the heart of it all."
Firstly, the World Heritage Committee is expected to name Ohio's ceremonial earthworks in Licking County, Warren County and Ross County as a World Heritage Site over the summer.
"This is a big deal. This special designation will draw people from all over the world to our great state and will recognize that Ohio's people, even 2,000 years ago played a pivotal role in transforming what is now Ohio into a sophisticated and prominent trading center," DeWine said.
Secondly, DeWine says Ohio has formed a commission to commemorate 250th anniversary of America. The committee has started preparing for events that will occur throughout the next three years.
Finally, DeWine says Ohio will b remaking the Ohio State Fair over next few years.
"We've always had a great state fair. We're going to make it even greater. We're remaking the Ohio State Fair so it can be an even better showcase for all that is good about Ohio, all that is unique about Ohio [and] all the things about Ohio that we are most proud of," DeWine said.
DeWine closed his speech by stating that he's "never been more optimistic" about the future of Ohio.
