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Report: Ohio Lawmakers Opt for Using $600M in Unclaimed Funds for Proposed Cleveland Browns Domed Stadium in Brook Park

Ohio legislators approved the 2026-27 biennial budget early today in Columbus, allocating $600 million from unclaimed funds to finance a domed stadium project for the Cleveland Browns in Brook Park.
The budget allocates approximately $1.7 billion from the state's total $3.7 billion pool of unclaimed funds, following negotiations that favored the Senate Republicans' plan amid concerns about the origin of the funding.
The Browns stadium funding will come as a cash grant repaid over 16 years by tax revenues from the stadium and its mixed-use development, while the Haslam Sports Group commits $50 million escrow and a $50 million line of credit as financial safeguards.
Ohio House Finance Chair Brian Stewart expressed confidence that most major concerns have been addressed, while critics cautioned that using unclaimed funds in the budget could violate legal standards and disproportionately impact lower-income families.
Governor Mike DeWine must sign or veto the budget by June 30, with the enacted plan suggesting significant political and fiscal implications for Ohio's use of unclaimed funds and public-private sports funding.

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Ohio Capital Journal

Lean Left

Democratic former Ohio lawmakers threaten lawsuit over Cleveland Browns stadium funding plan

Attorney and Democratic former state Rep. Jeff Crossman, speaking, alongside former Democratic Attorney General Marc Dann. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal.)A pair of former Democratic state lawmakers warned the General Assembly not to approve a controversial plan to pay for a new Cleveland Browns stadium and other sports facilities in the future. State lawmakers went ahead anyway. The state budget, approved Wednesday afternoon, includ…

2 days ago

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WTOL 11

Center

Ohio state budget passes, altering tax rates, education funding, and providing funds for new NFL stadium

Ohio's new $200B budget for 2026-2027 passes Senate, bringing tax cuts and funding changes. Includes $600M for Browns Stadium, education funding adjustments.

3 days ago

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The Center Square

Lean Right

Lawsuit will be filed if Ohio uses $600M of unclaimed funds for Browns stadium

(The Center Square) – A law firm has a class action lawsuit prepared to file if Ohio’s Legislature and Gov. Mike DeWine approve of a budget plan to use $600

3 days ago·United States

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Cleveland 19 News

Center

State lawmakers in last step to give Browns $600M for Brook Park project, Governor would need to approve

Both the Ohio House and Senate are expected to vote this afternoon on a plan to use Ohio’s Unclaimed Funds to help pay for the Cleveland Browns’ transformational Brook Park project.

3 days ago

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