Columbus, OH — Gov. DeWine delivered his 2022 State of the State address today at the Ohio Statehouse, commenting on further investments needed across the state, water quality, Ohio’s state park system, and the Intel project, among other issues.
The following quote can be attributed in full or part to OEC Action Fund Interim President Trish Demeter:
“Gov. DeWine continues to be a leader on land and water issues. We applaud the Governor’s commitment to continue to grow Ohio’s great State Parks system, and his emphasis on how important parks and greenspace are to our communities and our health. Additionally, it’s encouraging to hear about the Governor’s plans to partner with Ohio’s Appalachian communities to define an investment strategy that makes sense for the region. Not only are rich, vibrant, forested state lands important for resilience against climate change, they are the foundation for Appalachia Ohio’s burgeoning eco-tourism industry. Strong, long-term protections for these lands would ensure the future prosperity of the region, and we hope Governor DeWine will deliver on his commitment to invest in Ohio’s long-term future by securing these protections.
“Governor DeWine highlighted the need to attract employers to Ohio, citing a ‘good regulatory environment.’ Unfortunately, this is not the case for renewable energy businesses looking to create jobs here, or major companies who want to purchase local wind and solar energy to meet their sustainability goals. By failing to address the unprecedented corruption at the Statehouse and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, as well as signing policies that restrict clean energy development, Gov. DeWine has failed to challenge the powerful electric utility and coal lobby or temper extreme anti-clean energy legislators. His actions have cost Ohioans good-paying union jobs in the growing clean energy sector and have made us more dependent on fossil fuels at a time of rising energy costs.
“During his address, Gov. DeWine failed to mention the constitutional crisis regarding legislative maps happening under his watch. By voting in favor of gerrymandered district maps and signing the legislation establishing unconstitutional congressional district maps, he has failed to follow the clear directive of Ohio voters—we need and deserve fair districts for all people."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund recently released its 134th General Assembly Scorecard 2021 Update. The OEC Action Fund created its scorecard to hold Ohio lawmakers accountable for votes that damage our environment, as well as to celebrate those lawmakers who have championed pro-environmental legislation.
The 2021 Scorecard Update reviews the actions of Gov. DeWine during the third year of his term. Gov. DeWine continues to be a leader on land and water issues. Unfortunately, Gov. DeWine has failed to challenge the powerful electric utility and coal lobby or temper extreme anti-clean energy legislators. Furthermore, Gov. DeWine failed Ohioans by voting in favor of the legislative district maps and signing the legislation establishing unconstitutional congressional district maps. Given these strengths and weaknesses, Gov. DeWine received a moderate score of 5.2 in the mid-biennium scorecard, a drop from last year’s assessment.