1-on-1 interview: Gov. Mike DeWine recaps 2022, his plans for 2023

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a month out from winning his reelection bid, spoke to 19 News about his plans to shift focus to the new year and his plans for the state.

The governor took the chance to revel in one of the highlights of 2022, Intel’s decision to invest 20 billion dollars in the state to build a mammoth semi conductor manufacturing campus in central Ohio.

DeWine is convinced Intel’s decision has sent a message.

“If you’re thinking about moving and you’re thinking about starting a business you better look at Ohio, because there is some reason Intel chose Ohio over all those other states,” the governor said.

Keeping regulations on a tight leash and taxes under control, the governor said, will be critical in keeping the momentum going.

That momentum includes Sherwin Williams making the decision to keep their headquarters in Cleveland, and despite the pandemic changing the business landscape, moving forward with plans to build a new office tower on Public Square.

“Probably he most important thing we have to do is invest in our people and make sure we have the ability to fuel the jobs,” DeWine said. “It doesn’t matter if it is Intel or Sherwin Williams deciding to stay in Northeast Ohio, in the end the final question to us always can we find the people to fill the slots that we’re going to need to have filled.”

Moving forward, the governor said mental health will be a focus of his administration in the new year.

He has two programs he expects to be a great benefit to those across the state who are suffering but have not found the help they need.

“One is to make sure that we increase the number of people who are going into that field and are staying in that field,” DeWine said. “Second would be to build crisis centers all over the state of Ohio and that was a commitment of about 150 million dollars and they passed it and I am going to sign it and that’s going to be one more step.”

And as far as what may be of interest in the legislature, marijuana legalization, the current state of abortions and voter rights bills have already been announced to hit Columbus.

As far as the abortion debate goes, the governor reiterated his long standing pro-life stance and urged the legislature to craft an abortion law that reflects the views of the majority of Ohioans.

The governor was asked if he believed there should be exceptions made for minors, or those impregnated by rape or incest.

“I think that’s a decision the legislature has to make,” he said, “I am not going to make that decision but again we need to look at what people are saying in Ohio, look where the majority of Ohioans are.”

The governor will also be overseeing the first legalized sports gambling within the state. Legalization begins on Jan. 1 at midnight.

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