Columbus, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visited Zanesville and Perrysburg on Feb 4th, to promote several priorities outlined 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. 

In Zanesville, Governor DeWine visited Zanesville High School to tour the in-school driver's education program that operates in partnership with the Muskingum Ohio Valley Education Service Center. The program was created in October 2022 and has since provided essential driver's education to more than 1,800 students. 

As part of his executive budget, Governor DeWine proposes the creation of a grant program to help more schools launch similar driver training programs. 

"We must help ensure that as our teenagers get older, they are safe while driving on Ohio’s roads," said Governor DeWine. "Unfortunately, current driver training programs are simply out of reach for many families. Now is the time to put driver’s education back into our high schools."

The grant program would help schools partner with independent driver training academies or start their own driver training programs to make this training more accessible and affordable.

In Perrysburg, Governor DeWine visited the YMCA Child Development Center at Owens Community College to tour the facility and discuss how giving families access to affordable, quality childcare stimulates the state’s workforce and economy. The center serves families that are eligible for support through Ohio's Childcare Choice Voucher Program, which continues to be a priority in the Governor's new budget proposal. 

"For far too many working parents, finding affordable and quality childcare has become difficult," said Governor DeWine. "It is time that we help families lift this burden and create a stronger workforce in Ohio."

To further support Ohio's families, Governor DeWine is also proposing a Child Tax Credit that would give qualifying working parents a refundable credit of up to $1,000 per year for each child through age six. 

In addition to creating improved access to childcare, Governor DeWine's executive budget proposal will continue to invest in children by:

- Creating a new vision services program, OhioSEE. The program would ensure that students who fail vision screenings in kindergarten through third grade receive comprehensive eye exams and if needed, glasses.

- Expanding the number of school-based health centers in high-need counties and provide resources and technical support to these health centers across the state.

- Continue investments in the Science of Reading by supporting literacy coaches in schools, requiring schools with low rates of proficient readers to focus more funding on literacy support.

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