COLUMBUS, Ohio — Both Democrats and Republicans say they are behind a number of the pro-family, pro-kids policies Gov. Mike DeWine proposed during Wednesday’s State of the State address, but disagree on how to reach those goals.

"I wouldn't say there's anything that I would deem a nonstarter,” said State Senate President Rob McColley, R – Napoleon. “…It comes down to how much, how much it's going to cost and how it balances with the priorities of our, each of our chambers. So, it's not that we would say, ‘Hey, heck no, we're not going to do this,’ but we'll take a look at anything in its own right."

DeWine inspired standing ovation after standing ovation inside the Ohio House of Representatives chamber when he asked for the legislature’s support on several announced projects with a goal of expanding opportunities for all Ohioans.

"I think we even had a few enthusiastic members who there was a little hooting and hollering going on, actually, over some of the things that we heard,” said Ohio Sen. Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood). “When the governor talked about the things to do for, for the children in this state, the Democrats were right there because many of the policies that he talked about are things that we do champion, have championed in the past and join him in supporting for our families going forward."

With just one more State of the State address left to deliver in his political career, DeWine took advantage of the opportunity to highlight what his administration’s accomplishments during the past six years, while looking forward to the year ahead.

“Ohio is doing more than any other state in the Union to prepare for future job growth,” he said. “We are prepared for the future.”

He touted the increase in availability of jobs in the Buckeye State during his time in office, and highlighted companies currently building locations in Ohio. In total, the businesses are projected to bring nearly 15,000 total jobs to the state. That number includes an expansion at Ford Motor Company in Avon Lake set to double its workforce, and the 3,000 future jobs expected at Intel in Licking County.

“A clear signal to China, and to the rest of the world, that from now on, our essential manufactured products will be made in the United States of America,” DeWine said. “And, once again, it will be Ohioans making the things that keep us safe.”

While the jobs Intel is said to bring are a positive, the uncertain future of the federal government’s CHIPS Act and it’s promised funding for the project is a concern for Democrats, leading to concerns the company may pull out its investment in Ohio. Antonio said she wanted to hear more from the governor about what he is doing to ensure the company brings its chip manufacturing facility to the state.  

“We hope that he is advocating for us to the federal government to keep those funds available,” she said. “And coming to the state of Ohio not only does it mean jobs, it's a cause of our national security."

With the expected increase in job opportunities, DeWine said there is a need for skilled Ohioans to be ready to work when the time comes. He announced a new effort led by Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, Ohio’s Workforce Playbook, to focus on recruiting and training talent in each region of the state.

To fill these roles, DeWine announced initiatives aimed at removing the barriers preventing some groups from entering the workforce, including for Ohioans with disabilities and those with mental health challenges who he said often struggle with a stigma.

But Antonio said proposed budget cuts to education funding tell a different story.

"We heard the governor talk about how and I agree with him, how wonderful we should make opportunity for job readiness and for jobs for people who have different abilities,” Antonio said. “Unfortunately, we're cutting their education. That makes no sense. Resources for their education in order for them to truly have the opportunity in the future, we have to provide all the funding needed for special education students."

During his speech, DeWine proposed increasing some other efforts impacting education, like the Science of Reading program and creating more pathways to career technical education and college. All can be tied back to improving workplace readiness with improved literacy rates and skills training.

Meanwhile, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R – Lima, praised DeWine’s comments on hiring another underutilized group of Ohioans. DeWine called the state’s seniors a “hidden gem.”

"One thing that we can do to help the workforce is get more old people to work,” he said. “We have an aging society and not as many younger people to support that.”

DeWine received one of the biggest positive reactions of his speech when he announced a need to proactively prepare people who are incarcerated for future jobs. He highlighted the success of Chef Brandon Chrostowski, founder of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute in Cleveland, with training formerly incarcerated individuals for culinary careers.

McColley said he supports the idea of offering opportunities for occupational licenses or other methods to allow individuals reentering society the chance to be productive and create a smoother pathway from incarceration to the job market.

“If they can't find work, they're probably on one of the, one of the, government welfare programs that we're ultimately paying for,” he said. “And if they're not on that program, then it still should be a benefit to all of us that they're in the workforce contributing to the employment of the state."

DeWine also said a proposed annual $1,000 tax credit for every child under age 7 would help parents afford child care and increase their availability to work, a measure that received mixed reviews from the differing caucuses.

"You saw all the Democrats stood up and cheered because we know that getting those funds into our local communities makes all the difference in the world for the families, as well as our communities,” Antonio said. “We were also pleased to see him continue to support the publicly funded child care available.”

"We certainly want to have pro-family policies and policies that are going to make it easier for people to raise a family here in the state of Ohio,” McColley said. “But at the same time, we also, generally speaking, across the board, have to be aware that every tax credit we introduce or every tax deduction that we introduce makes it harder for us to get to our ultimate goal, that being, eliminating the income tax or having a flat income tax in the state of Ohio."

On the topic of taxes and finances, Democrats say they are disappointed DeWine did not touch on what they call an overall economic crisis impacting people across the state.

"Nothing in the governor's proposed budget addresses the fact that prices are still too high at the grocery store, at the pharmacy, and for Ohioans who are affording, who are struggling to afford quality housing and higher education,” said Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D – Upper Arlington. “Ask any elected official here in Ohio, and they will tell you that a major issue that they hear about is skyrocketing property taxes."

Hoping all lawmakers can make people a priority over politics as they work to finalize Ohio’s 2026-2027 operating budget by its July 1 deadline.