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Strickland gives his last speech as governor of Ohio
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Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland
Governor Ted Strickland's final address
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The full text of Governor Ted Strickland's address delivered at the Columbus Metropolitan Club.
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Governor John Kasich
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Outgoing Gov. Ted Strickland stood by his record in office and took a couple of shots at Gov.-elect John Kasich on Wednesday during his final public speech.
“There is much we must leave unfinished,” Strickland told an audience in Columbus. “But I know this: The foundation of Ohio is stronger now than the day I took office.”
Strickland’s appearance before the Columbus Metropolitan Club was his last formal address as governor. He leaves office early next month after losing in his re-election bid to Kasich.
Much of his half-hour speech was focused on accomplishments during his term, including efforts to weather a national recession and establish a foundation for future economic growth in advanced energy and other emerging industries.
But Strickland also offered some criticism of Kasich, who has announced intentions to dismantle a number of Strickland’s initiatives, including plans to establish passenger rail service between the state’s largest cities and school funding reform.
“The new administration has decided the train will leave without us,” Strickland said.
“Quite frankly, that saddens me ... because those funds meant new development, new jobs and a new transportation era for the most heavily populated corridor in the nation without [passenger] rail service.”
He added later, “Our education reform provides the most progressive teacher training, teacher quality and teacher career path in the nation.”
He also said: “Our journey together has been cut short, and we may not have reached our final destination, but, by God, we got the plane in the air. ... I believe in the future. I believe in Ohio.”