I-Team: New move to help Browns get state money for dome

Yahoo

13-03-2025

CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team found a local lawmaker is now taking steps to help the Cleveland Browns get state money for their plans to build a dome.
This week, the Browns went before a Statehouse committee asking for $600 million to help build a dome in Brook Park. The state would borrow that money through bonds, and the Browns would pay it back.
Now, Rep. Melanie Miller, a Republican from Ashland, is taking action.
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She told the I-Team she will submit an amendment to the state budget proposal within days, in order to provide money for the Browns. That could lead to putting the issue before all Ohio lawmakers for a vote.
'I am absolutely going to submit it,' Miller said.
The Browns plan to pay for half of the dome project, which includes other development around it. The team is counting on state and local funding to cover the rest of the cost.
'I wanted our committee members to hear firsthand what the Browns are trying to do,' Miller said.
She said other lawmakers can now 'be a champion or supporter of this amendment.'
The Browns want to move quickly. They hope to get final approval on state funding when the next budget gets approved this summer.
But Rep. Terrence Upchurch isn't sold on this.
'It's my hope we have some more discussions about it,' said Upchurch, a Democrat from Cleveland.
He wants more hearings, and he'd like to see the team stay in the current stadium on the lakefront. He explained why he'd like more hearings.
'That ultimately works better for the city of Cleveland. That gives more time to tell our side of the story as to why keeping that stadium on the lakefront is better for the city as a whole,' he said.
Behind all of this, the city is fighting in federal court and county court to block the Browns from moving to a dome. That battle is also taking time.
Records show the county judge has set an attorney conference for next month. In federal court, the Browns have asked for a hearing before a judge.
In his State of the State address, Gov. Mike DeWine once more said he's against helping to build sports stadiums with money that otherwise would go to things like schools or roads.
DeWine has instead proposed an increase in taxes on sports gambling to generate money that could help pay for stadiums.
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The Browns point out their request would not take away tax dollars from any state programs.
Now, Miller has vowed to take a step toward helping the team get the money.
'This Browns' plan is transformational for Northeast Ohio,' she said.
The city of Cleveland wants the team to stay on the lakefront, and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne does too. He believes the Browns can still be persuaded to not build a dome.
A final vote on the state budget is expected in June.
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