Ohio’s two-year budget grants a $1 billion budget cut to the state’s wealthiest residents. It borrows $1.7 billion in state-held unclaimed funds to help pay for a new Cleveland Browns stadium and other sports and cultural facilities. It eliminates a guaranteed funding mechanism for libraries, allocates $20 million to a responsible fatherhood campaign and formally sets as state policy that only two sexes — male and female — are recognized. Gov. Mike DeWine signed the 5,500-page, $60 billion spending plan late Monday, using his line-item veto power on issues including property tax relief measures that could hamstring school districts and local governments. After months of House and Senate debate, public hearings and middle-of-the-night changes, there were few surprises in the massive document. One? Ohio will experiment with a $10 million Child Care Cred program that will split child care costs among employees, employers and the state. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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The Ohio budget creates a new, $10 million program in which the state and participating employers and employees will divide child care costs. |
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Child care: Laura Hancock writes about the new $10 million child care cost-sharing program in Ohio's budget, which will divide child care expenses among employees, employers and the state, with workers and businesses each paying 40% and the state covering the remaining 20%. Property taxes: Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed property tax relief measures in the state budget, rejecting proposals that would have limited school district savings and potentially returned over $1 billion to homeowners, citing concerns about destabilizing school funding, reports Anna Staver. Today in Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine late Monday signed a two-year state budget that he says “builds upon my commitment to make Ohio the best place for everyone to live their version of the American dream.” But the budget chops a state law that guaranteed libraries a portion of state tax revenue, cuts taxes for the state’s wealthiest residents and lends $600 million to cover one-fourth of the Browns stadium’s anticipated cost. We’re talking about it all on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily news podcast. |
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Browns stadium: Gov. Mike DeWine signed a state budget allocating $600 million for a new Browns stadium in Brook Park, Jeremy Pelzer reports, which includes gutting the Modell Law and preserving the team's sin tax revenue. The funding will come from the state's unclaimed property fund, with the Haslams pledging to cover half of the $2.4 billion project. County response: Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne firmly opposes both the Browns stadium funding and a potential sin tax increase. Rich Exner reports Ronayne says the county will not borrow money for the project and is challenging the state's proposed tax modifications. Browns reaction: Gov. Mike DeWine’s decision not to veto the stadium-funding plan drew quick praise from Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, among others. But Jeremy Pelzer reports that Democratic critics, including elected officials in Northeast Ohio, condemned the new move as a shameful giveaway to the billionaire Haslam family. Tax cuts: Mike DeWine signed a budget maintaining a $1 billion income tax cut, as Anna Staver reports, which will flatten Ohio's tax rates to 2.75% and predominantly benefit high-income earners while potentially shifting costs to middle-class residents. Hidden communications: Jeremy Pelzer reports Ohio lawmakers’ text messages and emails between each other and their staff will soon be exempted from public-records disclosure for up to two years under state budget language signed into law Monday by Gov. Mike DeWine. Transgender provisions: Mary Frances McGowan reports on DeWine's budget signing, which maintains anti-transgender language and includes setting state policy that only recognizes male and female sexes and restricting certain LGBTQ-related services. Fatherhood: The state budget grants $20 million to a Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, which will support grants to nonprofits and fund a statewide media campaign promoting engaged fatherhood, Laura Hancock reports. Library funding: The budget cut the guaranteed funding formula for libraries, reducing their state funding and potentially threatening services across various age groups, reports Mary Frances McGowan. Campaign finance: The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case filed by Cincinnati Republicans JD Vance and Steve Chabot that seeks to overturn limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with federal candidates, reports Sabrina Eaton. Their lawsuit contends spending restrictions violate First Amendment free speech rights. Big beautiful bill: Sabrina Eaton reports on Ohio's U.S. senators championing a GOP tax bill that faces an uncertain future in the House. Vice President JD Vance cast the deciding vote after three Republican senators joined Democrats in opposition. Federal prosecutor: President Trump nominated David Toepfer to lead the U.S. attorney's office in northern Ohio, a position that has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since 2021. Adam Ferrise reports this nomination might face challenges as U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has threatened to stall the process. Jim Jordan: The Today in Ohio podcast team highlights Jim Jordan's subpoena of Harvard University, suggesting the House judiciary chairman is seeking national relevance by investigating the university's admissions and financial practices while Ohio constituents' real issues remain unaddressed. |
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Planned Parenthood: City health officials are attempting to fill the gap after a Planned Parenthood clinic in Cleveland has closed, citing President Donald Trump’s freezing of federal funds as the reason. Sean McDonnell reports that Cleveland’s Department of Public Health said it will step up to make sure “patients do not fall through the cracks.” Fourth of July safety: Cleveland officials are urging residents to prioritize safety during the holiday weekend, warning about potential heat-related illnesses, fireworks dangers and pet safety. Lucas Daprile reports on the city's concerns about increased emergency calls and the risks associated with fireworks and high temperatures. Cigarette tax: The state’s operating budget includes a provision that will permit Summit County to impose a cigarette tax on sales made at county establishments, Megan Becka reports. Revenue from the tax could be used to fund arts and culture nonprofits in Summit County. But the tax isn’t a done deal. Airport celebration: Weaved in among the commercial flights coming and going Tuesday morning, a 79-year-old C-47 buzzed through the cloudy skies over Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The flyover was part of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport’s centennial anniversary celebration this week. Joshua Gunter has photos. Beech leaf disease: Beech leaf disease, first identified in Northeast Ohio in 2012, is threatening American beech trees, potentially killing up to 30% of trees within seven years. Susan Brownstein writes about the disease's impact and provides guidance for tree preservation, highlighting collaborative research efforts to understand and mitigate its spread. Carl B. Stokes Day: Cleveland has declared June 30 as Carl B. Stokes Day, honoring the first Black mayor of a major American city, who was elected in 1967. Affordable school: The U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center has recognized Lorain County Community College as one of the most affordable colleges in the country, Hannah Drown reports. |
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Akron development: Christopher Hardesty has been named the first executive director of the Downtown Akron Development Corp. to lead revitalization efforts. Hardesty will spearhead redevelopment projects, including mixed-use residential development and a more vibrant downtown retail corridor. |
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Football hazing: Berea school officials attempted to hide a $175,000 settlement related to a football team hazing scandal but were forced to disclose details after legal action. Adam Ferrise reports how the settlement involved three players who were sexually abused during a summer camp, with school officials initially trying to keep the terms confidential. Child abduction: A New Mexico man, Joseph Gunter, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl after months of online grooming. Adam Ferrise reports the sentencing includes lifetime court supervision for Gunter, who drove 1,600 miles to abduct the victim. Shooting trial: A jury trial is underway for a Garfield Heights man accused of killing two people during a shootout in Cleveland’s Union-Miles Park neighborhood last summer, David Gambino reports. |
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Progressive Field: A recent survey by SiGMA Play ranked Progressive Field as the fifth-best stadium experience among 74 U.S. venues. Marc Bona highlights the Guardians' stadium features, including local food, standing-room tickets, and a rich team history. Swift-Kelce visit: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift finally visited the Kansas City Chiefs tight end’s hometown and made a stop for lunch at JoJo’s Bar in Chagrin Falls, Alex Darus reports. Kelce was in town Monday for the Alex’s Way Charity Golf Tournament presented by Patrick Bacon and Forest City Insurance. 'Superman' party: Tower City Center will host a free Superman-themed event on July 12 to celebrate the new movie's release. Joey Morona writes about the festivities, which include comic creator appearances, cosplay and exhibits highlighting Superman's Cleveland origins. Ask Yadi: A reader seeks guidance after accidentally passing gas during a chiropractor appointment. Yadi Rodriguez offers reassuring advice, emphasizing that such incidents are natural and should not cause embarrassment. |
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