“Our executive budget is all about investing in Ohio’s greatest asset, our people,” said Governor DeWine. “The budget I am sending to the legislature today continues to build on the things that make Ohio the Heart of it All: our children and our families, our students and our workforce, and our businesses and our communities. Importantly, this budget is also designed to ensure that Ohio’s strong economic growth continues for years to come.” 

“Governor DeWine’s budget is conservatively forecast, balanced, and carefully constructed to provide lasting returns for long-term prosperity,” said Director Murnieks. “Ohio’s economy is well positioned to continue growing as we head into the next biennium. This budget prioritizes children, our workforce, communities, and our economy, while also continuing to make state government more efficient, responsive, and cost-effective.” 

Governor DeWine’s 2026-2027 executive budget includes investments to: 

• Provide opportunities for parents to take part in Ohio’s workforce through a refundable child tax credit. 

• Make quality childcare more accessible and affordable for Ohio families. 

• Promote access to children’s physical and mental health including literacy, vision care, and other programs. 

• Encourage talented Ohioans to keep their talents in Ohio as they forge careers in the most in-demand job industries. 

• Support Ohio’s law enforcement agencies with investments in more efficient and reliable emergency services and accessible, affordable training. 

• Protect and improve water quality throughout Ohio.  

Ohio’s Children  

Governor DeWine’s budget proposes to help Ohio families during the initial years of a child’s development with a refundable child tax credit. Targeted at those who need it the most, the credit phases out at designated income levels.  Working parents who hold a full-time minimum wage job will be eligible for a $1,000 refundable credit per child through age six. 

Governor DeWine’s executive budget proposal maintains access to quality childcare with assistance for families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level through Publicly Funded Childcare and the Childcare Choice Voucher program. This eases the financial burden on working parents and caregivers who struggle to find childcare or risk losing childcare assistance if they take a better-paying job. 

School-aged children in Ohio are required to be screened for vision problems, but not all students who fail vision screenings receive follow-up care. Governor DeWine’s executive budget includes funding to create a new vision services program, OhioSEE. The program would ensure students who fail vision screenings in kindergarten through third grade receive comprehensive eye exams and, if needed, glasses. This program is projected to serve 33,000 kids at a time when vision is critical to learning to read.  

As schools continue to implement the Science of Reading across Ohio, Governor DeWine’s executive budget proposal continues to support literacy coaches in schools and requires schools with low rates of proficient readers to focus more funding on literacy support. 

Ohio’s People and Workforce   

High school students in Ohio have many opportunities to engage in work, internships, and other work-based learning experiences while they are in school. However, many teens lack transportation. Governor DeWine’s budget reduces financial barriers and time restrictions faced by high school students who seek driver training. 

Governor DeWine’s executive budget continues the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, which encourages Ohio’s best and brightest to stay in the state by providing the top 5% of each high school graduating class with a $5,000 scholarship to attend an Ohio college or university. Ohio’s graduating high school class of 2024 included 6,200 eligible students with roughly 76% accepting the scholarship.  

Ohio is already a leader in funding state institutions of higher education based on the number of students completing courses, certificates, and degrees. Through Governor DeWine’s proposed budget, Ohio will become the first state to tie a significant portion of funding for colleges and universities to whether their graduates are getting jobs. 

Ohio’s Communities  

This budget continues Governor DeWine’s longstanding commitment to support local law enforcement and prioritize public safety through the continued implementation of Next Generation 911, funding for local drug task forces, and building a new state-of-the-art training center to provide scenario-based training for peace officers.  Ohio’s unique abundance of water makes the state an ideal location for economic growth and prosperity.

Governor DeWine’s executive budget includes continued funding for H2Ohio to continue the ongoing work to protect and improve water quality. H2Ohio will continue to create high-performing wetlands, fix broken and outdated water infrastructure to bring clean drinking water to communities, and support farmers to follow best management practices on Ohio’s farm fields.