Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 22-02D on Thursday which “prohibits the State of Ohio investment or purchasing activity from aiding Russia in violating the rights of the Ukrainian people,” according to a press release by DeWine’s office.
The executive order directs that “all state agencies, boards and commissions, state educational institutions, and pension funds, to the extent practicable, divest any investment in and terminate any contracts with a Russian institution or company.”
In addition, DeWine’s order directs “all state agency procurement officers have specific standard contract language that prohibits the purchases of services from or investments in Russian institutions or companies and that all quotations, statements of work, and other proposals for services affirm they are in compliance with this order.” This, according to the press release, is in addition to existing Executive Order 2019-12D, which generally prohibits the purchase of offshore services by the State of Ohio.
“As Russian aggression continues to intensify against the people of Ukraine, I want to assure Ohioans that our state has no contracts with Russian businesses now, and will not have any contracts for goods and services going forward. We will not support Russia with Ohio taxpayer dollars,” Governor DeWine said in a statement. “In addition, I am calling on the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to divest of any Russian assets within the Bureau’s investment portfolios as soon as possible. I also want to encourage our state pension funds’ efforts to divest themselves of any Russian assets.”
Governor DeWine issued the following statement regarding further action that the state of Ohio is taking following Russian President Vladimir Putin's unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/ICCbxTYXF2
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 2, 2022
The Ohio Star previously reported, DeWine has denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said the United States must stand with Ukraine because the two countries share the same values.
“At the direction of President Vladimir Putin, Russian forces have invaded Ukraine in violation of international law. This is unacceptable, and all freedom-loving people should stand against this unprovoked invasion,” DeWine said in a statement. “Ukraine has been a sovereign and independent state since the collapse of the former Soviet Union in the 1990s. The United States and Ukraine share common values including freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people.”
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Background Photo “People Who Stand in Solidarity with Ukraine” by Maryland GovPics. CC BY 2.0.
