COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - He's fresh off a bruising fight and ultimate defeat over collective bargaining for unionized public workers. His approval ratings among voters are low.
And some fellow Republicans in the Legislature have grumbled openly over Gov. John Kasich's decision to move his State of the State speech outside the capital to eastern Ohio.
Against this backdrop, Kasich lays out his second-year agenda Tuesday - one focused on education and the economic promise of oil and natural gas drilling.
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Gov. John Kasich will lay out his second-year agenda Tuesday in Steubenville, one focused on education and the economic promise of oil and natural gas drilling.
Political experts say moving the speech to an elementary school in Steubenville allows Kasich to reconnect with the public after last fall's bitter collective bargaining battle. He has said he wants to uplift the once-proud steel valley by turning public attention on its assets.
But the decision also miffed some lawmakers - including a handful in his own party, whose support is necessary to push his policies through the state Legislature.
Besides requiring drives of more than four hours in some cases, the relocation was criticized by some as disrespecting an honored state tradition. Kasich is believed to be the first governor in Ohio history to give his address outside the Statehouse.
The move is also an inconvenience to other Columbus-based dignitaries who traditionally attend.
Attorney General Mike DeWine has said he can't make the speech. Secretary of State Jon Husted has a schedule conflict he's trying to work out. Both are fellow Republicans.
The GOP-controlled Ohio Supreme Court also won't be there because court is in session that day.
Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said the governor is dedicated to the unconventional venue.
He said this year's speech will reach a larger audience than ever. The school's auditorium holds more people than the House chamber, so 50 members of the public received tickets to attend through a lottery. Government and public television networks are teaming up to broadcast the speech and stream it online, he said.
As of last month, Quinnipiac University found 48 percent of Ohioans disapprove of the job Kasich is doing, compared with 39 percent who approve.