Following a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of the State Address returned once again in its full in-person format this week at the Ohio Statehouse. The event is an opportunity for the governor to note the successes of the past year and outline the administration’s priorities to come. Speaking to both houses of the Ohio General Assembly, Governor Mike DeWine detailed many of those items in this year’s address.
 
The governor first outlined a number of accomplishments achieved in partnership with the General Assembly in recent years. These include investments in clean water through the H2Ohio Program and the new state broadband grant program, which recently announced over $200 million in grant awards to expand broadband service to unserved and underserved areas. The governor also highlighted tax cuts, support for law enforcement, and investments in brownfield remediation and demolition programs.
 
Also recognized by the governor were health care workers, first responders, members of the Ohio National Guard and other frontline workers for their efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years.
 
Looking forward, Gov. DeWine outlined several key priorities he would like to see enacted. These proposals include the following:
 

• Additional support for mental health treatment. The governor discussed the need for additional community-based, outpatient treatment options to reduce the need for institutionalization or placement in long-term hospital care. DeWine stated, “I see an Ohio that catches and treats mental health problems and addiction at their earliest onset to lessen the chances of life-long challenges.”

• Investments in state parks. Noting the rediscovery of Ohio’s state park system by many Ohioans during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. DeWine detailed the need for additional investments to make Ohio’s state parks more accessible and enjoyable for visitors.

• Support for Appalachia. The governor outlined new plans to invest in the Appalachian region of Ohio, including downtown re-development, further expansion of broadband coverage, workforce development, student wellness and combatting addiction.

• New scholarship and mentorship programs to assist children.

• A renewed push for legislation (HB 283) to crack down on distracted driving.

• Support for long-term law enforcement training programs and transparency as well as increasing penalties for repeat offenders who continue to use guns to commit crimes.

 
The full highlights of the speech can be accessed here as well as the full text of the governor’s remarks. A recording of the address can also be viewed on the Ohio Channel webpage, available here.

The ongoing debate over new state and congressional district lines continued this week as courts and the Ohio Redistricting Commission continued their work to review and enact constitutional maps.
 
Following the latest invalidation of state legislative district maps by the Ohio Supreme Court, the Ohio Redistricting Commission took a different approach to crafting a fourth set of maps. The commission this week hired outside mapmakers to assist in drawing the latest round of maps. University of Florida Professor Michael McDonald and Douglas Johnson of National Demographics Corporation will work to craft the latest round of maps. Mediators from the Ohio Supreme Court will also assist in resolving disagreements between the mapmakers. Members can watch the work of the independent mapmakers on the Ohio Channel webpage.
 
Meanwhile, on Wednesday of this week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued a new elections directive to county boards of elections instructing them to remove candidates for the Ohio General Assembly and state central committees from the primary ballot, concluding that it was not possible to include those races on the May 3^rd ballot. All other races, including local, congressional and statewide contests would remain part of the primary.
 
There is currently a lawsuit being considered in federal court to have the third state legislative redistricting plan (previously invalidated by the state supreme court) be used for the primary election, which would allow for a supplemental ballot to be used to include statehouse primary races. Other potential remedies, such as appointing a federal special master or having a federal court move the primary date have also been suggested. However, at the time of publication, no ruling had been made.
 
Outside of intervention from federal courts, there are two likely potential outcomes for the May 3^rd primary. The entire primary election could be moved to a later date, a plan supported by House and Senate Democrats. Or, the primary contest could be split into two separate races, with statehouse primary contests being held later in the summer in a separate election. Majority party legislative leaders have shared their opposition to moving the entire primary election to a later date.
 
The Ohio Supreme Court also continues to review the latest congressional map. If that map would be invalidated, those races could not be removed from the ballot before the May 3^rd election and the votes would not be counted.
 
CCAO will continue to follow developments in state and federal courts regarding redistricting and the status of the May primary. Any questions can be directed to CCAO Policy Analyst Adam Schwiebert.