COLUMBUS ' Beginning with a moment of silence for the Ohioans serving overseas, Gov. Ted Strickland gave his second State of the State Address in the crowded House Chamber yesterday, stressing education above all.
Strickland decreed a few changes with Ohio's education policies ' a plan to help more Ohioans earn college degrees, a new high school plan and a proposed new position.
He announced Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut's 10-year plan, which would guarantee that associate and bachelor's degrees be available on a campus within 30 miles of every Ohioan. Ohio University announced a similar partnership with Columbus State Community College yesterday.
For students seeking a bachelor's degree
Ohio is now among the 10 most expensive states Strickland said. Under our plan every Ohioan will have access to a high-quality bachelor's degree that will rank among the 10 least expensive in the nation.
Strickland also presented his Seniors to Sophomores initiative, which would build on the state's existing Post-Secondary Enrollment Options plan and would give high school seniors the option of spending their senior year in their home high school or on a state university campus with free tuition.
Participating seniors will then graduate from high school ready to start their sophomore year in college
Strickland said, adding that the plan will begin in the fall.
In fact
students will receive their high school diploma and one full year of college credits at the same time
he said. The credits will transfer in full to public institutions
as well as many private colleges.
Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens, said he thought Strickland's proposal was very exciting
but school systems would also lose money
which is a legitimate concern.
But I do think it's a very positive vision
he said.
Strickland announced the creation of a state Department of Education director who would be appointed by the governor as a member of his cabinet and approved by the Senate.
The director would oversee all department efforts; the existing structures of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent will remain in advisory and additional roles, which the director would determine.Helping veterans, building jobs
Strickland asked for the establishment of the Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs. The new department would consolidate Ohio's veteran programs in a Cabinet-level agency so that Ohio's veterans can be served more effectively.
He also proposed Building Ohio's Jobs, a $1.7 billion bond-based plan that he said would create more than 80,000 new jobs. Through the plan, Strickland's administration would invest in the Clean Ohio fund and Ohio Public Works Commission as well as the infrastructure, renewable energy economy, logistics, the bioproduct and biomedical industries of the state and the redevelopment of downtown neighborhoods.
One question I have on this investment is
does our debt ceiling allow us to take that much? Stewart said, adding that Ohio has almost reached its debt limit of 5 percent.
Stewart said he thought the bond issue was good, but he also was concerned about how the money from this plan will be distributed.
I don't want all this money to go to Cleveland
