Columbus, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Feb 5th, visited Dayton and Cincinnati to highlight priorities in his executive budget proposal for state fiscal years 2026-2027. 

The proposal, announced Monday, includes targeted support for Ohio's children, communities, and workforce. 

While in Dayton for the annual meeting of the Dayton Development Coalition, Governor DeWine discussed the importance of investing to to create a cybersecurity workforce to protect critical infrastructure. 

"Ohio’s growing economy needs a specialized workforce that is skilled in protecting the data systems of public and private employers," said Governor DeWine. "We will continue to fund the Ohio Digital Academy in this budget to generate high-tech workforce capacity and meet Ohio's advanced technology and cybersecurity needs." 

As Ohio continues to lead the nation in the development, manufacturing, and testing of advanced air mobility technology, Governor DeWine also discussed his proposal to require the creation and adoption of a statewide Advanced Air Mobility Strategy. The strategy would cement this industry as a state priority and provide a vision for advanced air mobility and unmanned aircraft system technologies.

Also today, Governor DeWine visited the University of Cincinnati for a roundtable discussion on the benefits of work-based learning opportunities – another key component of his executive budget.

The Governor met with university leadership, students, and regional employers to discuss UC’s cooperative education program, known as co-ops. The co-op model, which was invented at UC more than 100 years ago, connects students with employers – providing an opportunity for these students to gain firsthand experience with in-demand jobs as part of their education experience.

The Governor’s proposed executive budget requires all state colleges and universities to offer a dedicated work-based learning program.

“Work-based learning opportunities like co-ops, internship, or externship programs are a win-win for students, colleges, and employers,” said Governor DeWine. “Many of these roles are paid, giving students the chance to earn money while also getting the real-world experience that will prepare them to excel as they launch their career.”

In addition to offering more opportunities for work-based learning, Governor DeWine’s executive budget proposal will continue to invest in better supporting college students by:

- Making Ohio the first state in the nation to tie a significant portion of State Share of Instruction funding to whether their graduates are getting jobs. Today, Ohio has a performance-based funding model, which ties the state funding colleges and universities receive to the number of students completing courses, certificates, and degrees. In the Governor’s proposed budget, a new model would be developed that would base a portion of this funding on whether graduates are gainfully employed after graduation.

- Continuing to fund the Governor’s Merit Scholarship. This scholarship provides a $5,000 renewable scholarship to every student in the top 5% of their high school graduating class who chooses to attend an Ohio college or university. Last year alone, this scholarship helped keep nearly 1,000 more of Ohio’s top students in the state to attend college.

- Building on the success of the Governor’s Merit Scholarship. The Governor’s proposed budget would guarantee admission to the main campus of every state college or university for all Ohio students in the top 5% of their class. These priorities aim to keep Ohio’s best and brightest young minds in the state as they pursue their education and, eventually, their careers.

For more information on Governor DeWine's biennial executive budget proposal, visit governor.ohio.gov.