COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed the state's massive operating budget, which includes funding for a new Cleveland Browns domed stadium and provides tax cuts for the wealthy. His vetoes will be coming within the next few hours, his spokesperson confirmed.
This is a developing story and will be updated. The governor will have a press conference at 10 a.m. Tuesday on his decisions.
At 11:15 p.m. Monday, DeWine announced he approved the about $60-billion Republican spending bill. As of 1:30 a.m., he was only midway through scanning his 67 line-item vetoes, spokesperson Dan Tierney said.
So far, we know several items approved in the budget.
The Browns will be getting $600 million for their new Brook Park stadium.
The budget calls for the state to take legal ownership of $1.7 billion in unclaimed funds, setting a clock on how long people have to file claims and get reunited with their missing money.
RELATED: Ohio lawmakers settle on unclaimed funds to put $600M into new Browns stadium
That’s a major change for Ohio, which currently holds unclaimed funds in perpetuity. The budget will give people a decade to claim their money before it becomes the state’s property. Lawmakers want to grab $1.7 billion out of Ohio’s $4.8 billion pool of unclaimed funds right away — and then continue taking money on a rolling basis, after a decade of holding it.
The budget also changes a state law designed to make it harder for pro sports teams to leave publicly subsidized facilities, clearing a significant obstacle from the Browns' road to Brook Park.
RELATED: Lawyers plan to sue if state takes unclaimed funds for Browns
The new language says the so-called Modell law, designed to prevent major sports teams from pulling up stakes, would only come into play if a team chose to leave the state.
The changes to the law are likely to end a court battle that's just getting started and take leverage away from the City of Cleveland, which is fighting to keep the Browns on the lakefront or negotiate a better exit deal if the team leaves.
Income tax
He also approved the GOP's 2.75% flat income tax, meaning the highest earners in the state, those making more than $100,000 a year, will no longer have to pay 3.5% in income tax, making them equal to the lower tax bracket.
RELATED: Ohio Senate GOP moves to give wealthiest Ohioans tax cut
State data reveals that this could result in a loss of more than $1.1 billion in the general revenue fund. This was made up by cutting social services and some tax exemptions.
Medicaid
Tierney confirmed that some aspects of the Medicaid cuts, ones that were set to cut about 800,000 Ohioans off of health care, have been signed into law. Other provisions were vetoed, he said.
Here is a preview of what could come in his vetoes in the morning
RELATED: What Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine may veto in the state budget
News 5's Michelle Jarboe contributed to this report.
Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.
