Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine announced that K-12 schools will be permitted to start receiving school staff COVID-19 vaccinations Feb. 1. Click here for the list of schools. The vaccination plan for all schools is expected to be released today.

DeWine signed an executive order that partially restores the K-12 payments for fiscal year (FY) 2021. K-12 education will see a net $140 million reduction for FY 2021 as opposed to the $300 million reduction for FY 2020. Click here to read the executive order. Click here for information from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and click here for district-by-district simulations.

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Stephanie McCloud signed an amended executive order to change the hours that all individuals are required to stay home to limit the spread of COVID-19. The new hours are 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Click here for a link to the signed order.

Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 9, sponsored by Sens. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) and Kristina D. Roegner (R-Hudson). The legislation would require ODE and other state agencies to reduce regulatory restrictions by 30% by 2025.

The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 22, sponsored by Sens. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and McColley, which would establish the Ohio Health Oversight and Advisory Committee to provide legislative oversight of the governor's executive orders and certain public health orders.

Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 8, sponsored by McColley, which establishes the residential broadband expansion program.

Ohio Auditor of State
Auditor of State Keith Faber released a performance audit of ODE. The report reviewed student assessments, student success, the foundation payment process, Education Management Information System and internal IT. Click here for a link to the report.

Posted by Nicole Piscitani on 01/29/2021