Cuyahoga County exec. addresses Senate's budget plan for Browns dome
CLEVELAND (WJW) – Cuyahoga County executive Chris Ronayne spoke out after state Senate leaders introduced a new proposal to assist the Cleveland Browns in getting $600 million in state funding to build a dome in Brook Park.
'When we look at what's being proposed by our state Senate, we see a proposed budget that will benefit billionaires to the expense of everyday working residents of Ohio and this county of Cuyahoga,' Ronayne said.
The FOX 8 I-Team first learned about the proposal Tuesday afternoon.
Senate leaders promised that the new plan would mean less risk to taxpayers.
As the I-Team previously reported, the Browns have asked for $600 million in bond money to be paid back with profits made from the project.
Ohioans can soon buy over twice as much nonmedical marijuana
State Democratic senators told the I-Team the Senate Finance Committee is now proposing using money from Ohio's unclaimed funds to pay for the dome.
Ohio's unclaimed funds are described as 'unclaimed or abandoned money and other assets,' which could include a bank account, rent or utility deposit, uncashed check and more.
I-X Center one step closer to being repurposed — what it would mean for events
The current total of unclaimed funds in Ohio is $4.8 billion, with $528 million received in fiscal year 2024 alone.
'Don't pick the pocket of hardworking Ohioans for the single purpose of a new stadium in Brook Park, but that's what you've done, state Senate, by proposing an allocation from the unclaimed funds department,' Ronayne continued. 'This is your money, this is your parents' money, this might be your grandmother's money, this might be your kids' future money.'
Ronayne urged Governor Mike DeWine to veto those portions of the budget.
'We urged you to think about restoring some of that $600 million to our libraries, to our schools, to our Medicaid coverage for our citizenry,' he said.
He also urged Ohioans to check for unclaimed funds on at unclaimedfund s.ohio.gov.
The final state budget must be approved by the end of the month.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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