COLUMBUS, Ohio — In his final State of the State address Tuesday, Governor Mike DeWine called on Ohio lawmakers to prioritize children’s well-being through stronger education standards, new safety measures, and responsible technology regulation as he concluded his two-term tenure.
Speaking before a joint session of the General Assembly, DeWine returned to familiar themes centered on the protection and development of Ohio’s youth. He urged immediate legislative support for the state’s “Science of Reading” initiative — a data-driven approach to literacy instruction that he said is essential to improving reading proficiency statewide.
“Every Ohio child deserves the opportunity to learn to read, and every teacher deserves the best tools to help them succeed,” DeWine said.
Beyond education, DeWine pressed lawmakers to adopt a primary seatbelt law, allowing officers to stop motorists solely for not wearing a seatbelt. Ohio is one of the few states without such a law, which DeWine argued would save hundreds of lives each year through prevention.
The governor also focused heavily on the growing influence of artificial intelligence, proposing new legislation to safeguard children and families online. His recommendations included banning AI-generated child pornography, requiring stronger verification measures on social media platforms, and giving parents greater control over their children’s online presence.
“Technology must serve our children — not exploit them,” DeWine said, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation to address emerging digital harms.
Throughout the address, DeWine reflected on his years in office, noting achievements in mental health support, early childhood development, and public health. He thanked lawmakers from both parties, urging them to continue “the unending work of protecting Ohio’s future” even after his administration ends later this year.
DeWine, 79, first elected governor in 2018, is term-limited and set to leave office in January 2027. His final address served both as a policy agenda and a farewell message, one underscoring his decades-long focus on Ohio families.