Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, offered remarks on Governor Mike DeWine’s 2025 State of the State address.
Hederman commended Governor DeWine for his efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on Ohio businesses, a stance that aligns with The Buckeye Institute's long-standing advocacy. "Kudos to Governor DeWine for reducing red tape on Ohio businesses, which The Buckeye Institute has long advocated for and makes Ohio attractive to companies worldwide," he stated. He also praised the governor's commitment to maintaining competitive electricity prices, supporting Ohio's advanced manufacturing and tech sectors.
The governor's proposal to tie higher education funding to outcomes was another highlight for Hederman. "The governor’s call to base higher education funding on outcomes will reward schools for low debt-to-income ratios, high job placement, and low loan default rates," he noted.
Additionally, Hederman lauded DeWine's focus on workforce development through educational training and reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals into the workforce. "Governor DeWine’s focus on improving the Buckeye State’s multifaceted workforce through educational training and restoring the formerly incarcerated into the workforce where they can better themselves and their communities is laudable."
However, Hederman expressed disappointment over the absence of discussion regarding Medicaid spending in DeWine's speech. "The Buckeye Institute is disappointed that the governor did not discuss the challenge of rapidly increasing Medicaid spending; if Medicaid is not reformed imminently, Ohio will be unable to invest sufficiently in K-12 schools or higher education," he warned.
While acknowledging progress in reading science initiatives, Hederman criticized DeWine for missing an opportunity to emphasize Ohio’s new school choice program benefits. "Highlighting the science of reading is important progress, but Governor DeWine missed a crucial opportunity to underscore how Ohio’s new school choice program has given lower- and middle-class families the chance to improve their children’s education and future."