Claim Your Funds Before Jimmy Haslam Does: Ohioans Urged to Reclaim Their Money
COLUMBUS - State Reps. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood), Munira Abdullahi (D-Columbus) and Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) today released the following statement concerning the Ohio Senate's latest budget proposal including a plan to divert $1.7 billion from the state's unclaimed funds to finance stadium projects, including a $600 million giveaway to the Cleveland Browns billionaire owner Jimmy Haslam to move the Browns to Brook Park:
"This fund is not a piggy bank for billionaires," said Rep. Rader. "It's the hard-earned money of everyday Ohioans.”
The Senate's proposal contrasts with the House's earlier plan to issue bonds for the stadium funding, which would be repaid over 25 years using tax revenue generated by the project. However, critics argue that both approaches prioritize wealthy team owners over pressing public needs like school funding or property tax relief.
“While our schools remain underfunded, Medicaid faces cuts, and food banks struggle, we're handing over public funds to the Haslam family's sports empire,” said Rep. Munira. “All the while cutting taxes for only the most wealthy."
"We should be using this money to lift up working families and invest in communities— not lining the pockets of billionaire team owners," said Rep. Brent. "It’s outrageous that lawmakers are digging into Ohioans' wallets instead of doing their job and fixing what’s broken in this state.”
Take Action: Reclaim What's Yours
Ohioans are encouraged to check if they have unclaimed funds and reclaim them before they are allocated elsewhere. The Ohio Department of Commerce has launched a new, user-friendly system to help residents search for and claim their unclaimed funds.
Steps to Claim Your Funds:
- Search: Visit unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov to search for unclaimed funds under your name.
- Claim: If you find a match, follow the instructions to file a claim.
- Submit: Provide the necessary documentation to verify your identity and submit your claim online or by mail.
"I checked and had $270 in unclaimed funds. That’s my money — not Jimmy Haslam’s. He didn’t earn a penny of it, and he sure doesn’t need it. Ohioans should claim what’s theirs before it ends up in a billionaire’s pocket." said Rep. Rader.
Rep. Rader plans to donate the $270—once received—to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which is facing state budget cuts this year.
For more information or assistance with the claims process, please contact the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Unclaimed Funds at claims@com.ohio.gov or 1-877-644-6823.