Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a two-year, $60 billion operating budget that flattens the state's income tax and sets aside $600 million in unclaimed funds for a new Cleveland Browns stadium.
The Republican governor signed the budget late Monday night, about 45 minutes before the midnight deadline.
The Haslam Sports Group, owner of the Browns, previously requested that the state help build a new domed stadium in suburban Brook Park south of Cleveland. DeWine had proposed doubling taxes on sports betting to help the Browns, as well as the Cincinnati Bengals and other teams who might seek facility upgrades. But the Legislature used some of the $4.8 billion in unclaimed funds the state is holding on to -- in small sums, residents left behind from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks and forgotten utility deposits. Currently, there's a 10-year time limit before that money reverts to the state.
"This is a win for taxpayers, and it will provide significant money to things that improve the quality of life in Ohio," DeWine said of the stadium money.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Browns called the budget approval a "tremendous milestone for our organization" and said DeWine and the Legislature worked together "to find a responsible way to support such a transformative project."
In a letter to fans, the Browns said the Haslams "continue to commit to Greater Cleveland with this unprecedented $2+ billion investment in the stadium and vibrant mixed-use lifestyle and entertainment development, along with our private development partners. Haslam Sports Group will pay for any cost overruns on the stadium construction and the public will not bear any overrun risk.
"We will continue to invest in Northeast Ohio and our community. We embrace our responsibility and our privilege to use our platform to create meaningful change, particularly in supporting equitable opportunities in the fields of education, youth football and economic advancement. We see the stadium project as a further way to advance these important community pillars of our organization."
The Browns initially unveiled plans for a new domed stadium in August 2024, and in October 2024 informed Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb of their intentions to build the new state-of-the-art stadium in Brook Park when their lease expired in 2028.
The city of Cleveland filed a lawsuit in January 2025 to stop the Browns' move from the Cleveland lakefront, citing the "Modell Law," which in part says that any professional sports team that uses state funding for its facility for home games can't leave without permission or providing advance notice.
The Modell Law, passed in 1996, also gives residents a chance to buy the team or find a new buyer. In the lawsuit, the city claimed the Browns violated the law by not doing either.
Monday's signed budget includes language that alters the law so it only applies to pro sports teams attempting to move out of Ohio entirely.
Bibb issued a statement on Tuesday saying he was "deeply disappointed" the budget includes both a $600 million public subsidy and changes to the Modell Law.
"Relocating the Browns will divert economic activity from downtown, create a competing entertainment district, and disrupt the momentum of our lakefront redevelopment," Bibb's statement continued. "It will also trigger substantial taxpayer-funded infrastructure upgrades -- including highway reconfigurations and public safety enhancements -- adding significant public costs on top of the stadium itself.
"We also remain firmly opposed to the changes in the Modell Law, which was enacted to protect communities that have made substantial public investments in their sports teams. Undermining this statute sets a troubling precedent and leaves cities like Cleveland with fewer tools to safeguard long-standing public assets."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
