Columbus, OH – Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, reacted to Governor Mike DeWine’s State of the State speech on April 10, 2024.
Hederman expressed his views on various aspects of the Governor's speech. He commended Governor DeWine's emphasis on education, stating, "Governor DeWine started his speech highlighting the importance of education and reading for Ohio’s children." He also acknowledged the efforts made in the previous year regarding universal school choice while emphasizing the need for further improvements in all schools.
Furthermore, Hederman appreciated the Governor's focus on career tech and enhancements to Ohio College Opportunity Grants, noting, “The Buckeye Institute was also pleased to hear Governor DeWine call for an emphasis on career tech, improvements to Ohio College Opportunity Grants, and to provide parents and students with data on graduation-to-employment rates from Ohio’s public universities." He emphasized the importance of preparing Ohio's workforce for modern jobs to ensure the state's success.
However, Hederman expressed disappointment at the absence of discussions on essential economic policies, stating, “Disappointingly, there was no mention of the types of pro-growth tax policies and spending restraint that Ohio needs to attract businesses and encourage job growth.” This highlights the Institute's concern for creating an environment conducive to business growth and job creation in the state.