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Governor Mike DeWine presses jobs, early‑childhood reading and mental health in final months in office
Summary
With about six months left in his term, Governor Mike DeWine told the Columbus Metropolitan Club he will focus on job recruitment, early‑childhood readiness (including a statewide reading push and vision‑screening pilot), and mental‑health access, while continuing work to attract businesses to Ohio.
Governor Mike DeWine used a forum at the Columbus Metropolitan Club to outline what he called the priorities for his remaining six months in office: economic development, early‑childhood readiness, and expanded mental‑health services.
"As of this morning, 235 days is what is left," DeWine said, adding that the time frame underscores urgency to "move on and get things done." He said his administration is focused on bringing companies to Ohio — citing recent meetings with a pharmaceutical company and an aviation firm — and on ensuring a workforce pipeline through expanded education and scholarships.
On early learning, DeWine highlighted the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and an emphasis on what he called the "science of reading." "440,000 kids are getting these books every single month," he said, and described a goal to extend evidence‑based reading instruction to every classroom. He also discussed a mobile vision‑screening pilot active in 15 counties, including Franklin County, designed to ensure children who fail school screenings actually receive eye exams and glasses.
DeWine framed mental‑health work as a continuing priority and pointed to the state’s 988 response plan. "If you call 988 in the state of Ohio…you're going to have somebody at your doorstep within 60 minutes. That's the guarantee," he said, and added that the state is building a new psychiatric hospital in Dayton.
The governor said the administration will continue pursuing programs that combine preventive care and services that allow people to remain in their homes rather than enter nursing facilities, which he said saves money and improves outcomes.
DeWine ended by urging continuity for programs he described as effective and cost‑efficient, saying he hopes the next governor "will take Ohio C…because we're going to demonstrate it works." The forum closed with audience Q&A on related issues such as education funding and higher‑education access.
The Columbus Metropolitan Club hosted the event at the National Veterans and Memorial Museum and said the forum will resume after Memorial Day.
