Overview
- DeWine centered his address on education, crediting science-of-reading reforms, a classroom cellphone ban and absenteeism efforts, and he cited a kindergarten reading jump from 14% to 50% as an example of progress.
- He urged legislation to criminalize AI-generated child sexual abuse material and sought clear authority for prosecutors to pursue criminal and civil accountability for tech companies.
- The governor also asked for default parental control features on kids’ devices and apps to increase oversight of minors’ online activity.
- Renewing a long-standing request, DeWine backed a primary seatbelt enforcement law, noting that about 12% of Ohioans who do not buckle up account for more than 60% of traffic fatalities.
- Democrats and Policy Matters Ohio argued schools face nearly $3 billion in underfunding and program cuts, while DeWine touted job commitments from Anduril (up to 4,000 roles), Joby Aviation (up to 2,000) and Amgen (about 350), plus proposals to expand recess, school fitness and vision services.