Mike DeWine Gives Last State of the State as Ohio’s Governor
Who's accountable for the results?
On Tuesday, term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine gave his last State of the State address, calling to mind his role as a “servant” to Ohioans.
The Republican governor often brought up the well-being of children in his remarks, highlighting efforts to implement the science of reading in schools, banning cellphones in classrooms, and reaching the lowest infant mortality rate in 20 years.
Planting Trees
DeWine referenced planting trees and the accomplishments they symbolize. “We have planted the seeds, we are about to see the results,” the governor mentioned as he shared examples.
In my first Inaugural Address, I talked about how my grandfather planted trees late in his life, knowing he would not live to see them grow big and tall. He planted them, nonetheless, because he believed in building a better world for generations to come.
Over the last seven…
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2026
The governor touted a decrease in the number of children in the custody of the state, as well as increased graduation rates for foster youth and expanded access to mobile mental health services for children.
In addition to his initiatives for children, DeWine highlighted other accomplishments, including balancing the budget and cutting taxes, increasing the state’s rainy day fund, a decrease in unintentional drug overdoses, securing more economic development, and investing in Ohio’s Appalachian counties.
The Science of Reading
Per a state mandate, future teachers are being trained exclusively in the science of reading. With Ohio having “the toughest law in the country,” DeWine touted how other states want to follow such a plan.
DeWine brought up the science of reading first for a reason, crediting it with many success stories for students, including those with dyslexia.
The governor announced further steps, directing the Department of Education and Workforce to create regional instructional implementation teams to help K-12 classrooms implement the method. There will also be coaches helping in poorly performing areas.
Reading Initiatives and Dolly Parton
Ohio first lady Fran DeWine “made it her mission” to get kids reading, the governor said, at the “most crucial time.”
“Reading is the key to everything. So, it’s essential that children learn early about the importance of books and reading,” he stressed.
It’s essential that children learn early about the importance of books and reading because reading is the key to everything! First Lady Fran DeWine has made it her mission to get books into the hands of Ohio’s youngest children by expanding @ImaginationOhio into every corner of…
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2026
The Buckeye State holds a distinction as the only state where parents can enroll their children from birth in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. More than 37,000 Ohio newborns have been enrolled since the program began at hospitals last summer, according to the governor.
Ohio children have the highest library enrollment in the country, with over 70% of households with children under the age of five receiving books.
A Reprieve From ‘Excessive Screen …
Who's accountable for the results?
On Tuesday, term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine gave his last State of the State address, calling to mind his role as a “servant” to Ohioans.
The Republican governor often brought up the well-being of children in his remarks, highlighting efforts to implement the science of reading in schools, banning cellphones in classrooms, and reaching the lowest infant mortality rate in 20 years.
Planting Trees
DeWine referenced planting trees and the accomplishments they symbolize. “We have planted the seeds, we are about to see the results,” the governor mentioned as he shared examples.
In my first Inaugural Address, I talked about how my grandfather planted trees late in his life, knowing he would not live to see them grow big and tall. He planted them, nonetheless, because he believed in building a better world for generations to come.
Over the last seven…
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2026
The governor touted a decrease in the number of children in the custody of the state, as well as increased graduation rates for foster youth and expanded access to mobile mental health services for children.
In addition to his initiatives for children, DeWine highlighted other accomplishments, including balancing the budget and cutting taxes, increasing the state’s rainy day fund, a decrease in unintentional drug overdoses, securing more economic development, and investing in Ohio’s Appalachian counties.
The Science of Reading
Per a state mandate, future teachers are being trained exclusively in the science of reading. With Ohio having “the toughest law in the country,” DeWine touted how other states want to follow such a plan.
DeWine brought up the science of reading first for a reason, crediting it with many success stories for students, including those with dyslexia.
The governor announced further steps, directing the Department of Education and Workforce to create regional instructional implementation teams to help K-12 classrooms implement the method. There will also be coaches helping in poorly performing areas.
Reading Initiatives and Dolly Parton
Ohio first lady Fran DeWine “made it her mission” to get kids reading, the governor said, at the “most crucial time.”
“Reading is the key to everything. So, it’s essential that children learn early about the importance of books and reading,” he stressed.
It’s essential that children learn early about the importance of books and reading because reading is the key to everything! First Lady Fran DeWine has made it her mission to get books into the hands of Ohio’s youngest children by expanding @ImaginationOhio into every corner of…
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2026
The Buckeye State holds a distinction as the only state where parents can enroll their children from birth in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. More than 37,000 Ohio newborns have been enrolled since the program began at hospitals last summer, according to the governor.
Ohio children have the highest library enrollment in the country, with over 70% of households with children under the age of five receiving books.
A Reprieve From ‘Excessive Screen …
Mike DeWine Gives Last State of the State as Ohio’s Governor
Who's accountable for the results?
On Tuesday, term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine gave his last State of the State address, calling to mind his role as a “servant” to Ohioans.
The Republican governor often brought up the well-being of children in his remarks, highlighting efforts to implement the science of reading in schools, banning cellphones in classrooms, and reaching the lowest infant mortality rate in 20 years.
Planting Trees
DeWine referenced planting trees and the accomplishments they symbolize. “We have planted the seeds, we are about to see the results,” the governor mentioned as he shared examples.
In my first Inaugural Address, I talked about how my grandfather planted trees late in his life, knowing he would not live to see them grow big and tall. He planted them, nonetheless, because he believed in building a better world for generations to come.
Over the last seven…
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2026
The governor touted a decrease in the number of children in the custody of the state, as well as increased graduation rates for foster youth and expanded access to mobile mental health services for children.
In addition to his initiatives for children, DeWine highlighted other accomplishments, including balancing the budget and cutting taxes, increasing the state’s rainy day fund, a decrease in unintentional drug overdoses, securing more economic development, and investing in Ohio’s Appalachian counties.
The Science of Reading
Per a state mandate, future teachers are being trained exclusively in the science of reading. With Ohio having “the toughest law in the country,” DeWine touted how other states want to follow such a plan.
DeWine brought up the science of reading first for a reason, crediting it with many success stories for students, including those with dyslexia.
The governor announced further steps, directing the Department of Education and Workforce to create regional instructional implementation teams to help K-12 classrooms implement the method. There will also be coaches helping in poorly performing areas.
Reading Initiatives and Dolly Parton
Ohio first lady Fran DeWine “made it her mission” to get kids reading, the governor said, at the “most crucial time.”
“Reading is the key to everything. So, it’s essential that children learn early about the importance of books and reading,” he stressed.
It’s essential that children learn early about the importance of books and reading because reading is the key to everything! First Lady Fran DeWine has made it her mission to get books into the hands of Ohio’s youngest children by expanding @ImaginationOhio into every corner of…
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 10, 2026
The Buckeye State holds a distinction as the only state where parents can enroll their children from birth in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. More than 37,000 Ohio newborns have been enrolled since the program began at hospitals last summer, according to the governor.
Ohio children have the highest library enrollment in the country, with over 70% of households with children under the age of five receiving books.
A Reprieve From ‘Excessive Screen …
