COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the state’s Fiscal Years 2026-2027 operating budget into law on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 3:45 p.m. EDT, allocating $600 million for a new domed Cleveland Browns stadium. Reported at 4:10 p.m. EDT, the funding will draw from unclaimed funds held by the state, with a new policy requiring lost monies to be held for ten years before being claimed for use. The budget also amends a state law giving restrictions on professional sports teams leaving publicly subsidized facilities, clearing a path for the Browns’ move to Brook Park.
The budget introduces a GOP-backed 2.75% flat income tax, reducing the rate from 3.5% for earners above $100,000, aligning them with lower brackets. State data estimates a $1.1 billion loss to the general revenue fund, offset by cuts to social services and some tax exemptions. DeWine exercised 67 line-item vetoes, addressing contentious provisions.
Among the vetoes, Item 22 on youth homelessness was struck down, with DeWine arguing against prohibiting Department of Health funds to shelters affirming gender transition, stating, “A homeless child has already endured enough and should not be denied shelter over pronoun use.” Item 27, creating education savings accounts for non-chartered religious schools, was vetoed due to oversight concerns, citing the Bishop Sycamore case. Item 35’s partial veto on banning sugary drinks from SNAP benefits was due to implementation delays, with a working group formed to refine the policy. Item 53, adding political party labels to school board ballots, was rejected to maintain non-partisan governance, while Item 63’s cap on school district carryover savings at 40% was vetoed to support financial management. Item 67, restricting library book access for minors, was also struck down.DeWine highlighted the budget’s focus on children, workforce, and communities, stating, “It prioritizes our children, empowers our workforce, and strengthens our communities for generations.” Lt. Governor Jim Tressel emphasized investments in career-technical education and job training to boost Ohio’s economy. The biennial plan supports child care, adoption, education, infrastructure, and neighborhood safety.
He also vetoed a provision requiring libraries to place books on gender identity and sexual orientation out of children’s view, a measure to make school board elections partisan. The Governor also rejected an item that would restrict state funding to colleges and universities if they had not complied with State Senate Bill 1 or the DEI bill. Dewine vetoed an item that would change the tax structure for marijuana sales in Ohio, which would change recreational weed to a sales tax, vs the excise tax it is now.
In total Dewine made 67 total line items votes in the bill you can see them all here:
Lawmakers have the option to override DeWine’s vetoes with a three-fifths vote in each chamber.
