Overview
- Governor DeWine signed the $60 billion two-year budget late Monday, including a $600 million grant toward a $2.4 billion domed Browns stadium in Brook Park.
- The funding will come from the state’s approximately $4.8 billion unclaimed funds trust and be structured as a performance grant repayable over 16 years through stadium tax revenues.
- The budget amends Ohio’s 1996 Modell Law to restrict its relocation ban to moves out of state, clearing the legal path for in-county site changes.
- Brook Park Mayor Ed Orcutt hailed the investment for unlocking more than $2 billion in private capital committed by Haslam Sports Group for the mixed-use development.
- Cleveland officials including Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne oppose shifting public subsidies away from the city and, with former AG Marc Dann and ex-Rep. Jeff Crossman, plan legal challenges.