Northeast Ohio lawmakers against tax dollars supporting new Browns stadium

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A local lawmaker is pushing to remove a provision from the state’s budget that would provide $600 million to fund the new dome stadium for the Browns.

Democratic State Representative Sean Patrick Brennan said the Browns’ price tag for the state is too much. So much so, he’s drafted an amendment to remove it from the budget.

“The state house should not be a bank account for billionaires. If we give $600 million to a couple of billionaires, there’s not going to be a lot of money left for property tax relief, or for our food banks, or our libraries, or our public schools,” State Representative Brennan said.

But with a Republican stronghold, will the amendment see the light of day?

“I know that a lot of my Republican colleagues are very fiscally conservative, and because of that, I would think that they’re not in favor of giving handouts,” Brennan said.

The amendment comes one day after a town hall in Hudson, where Haslam Sports Group had the chance to hear directly from the people. Many shared the same concerns as Representative Brennan.

One woman asked, “Can you please explain to me why Summit County or Akron cares about this issue?”

A representative with the Haslam sports group responded by saying, “Two-thirds of Browns fans come from outside of Cuyahoga County. It’s relevant for the region.”

 
State Senator Casey Weinstein hosted the town hall. He believes, while the Browns’ case that the dome could be economically prosperous is valid, it’s not enough to forgive the other issues the state should be focused on.

“I really share a lot of my constituents’ concerns about the timing. About a time when we’re losing federal support, state support for some critical services. There’s a lot of angst about providing financing or support for a project like this,” said State Senator Weinstein.

Weinstein told 19 News that, if there was a vote today, he would not vote for funding the dome.

“It’s a tough case to make right now,” said State Sen. Weinstein. “And taking the temperature in the room and the other messages I’ve gotten, it would be really tough for me to support this.”

 
The Ohio House of Representatives will vote on the latest version of the budget on Wednesday.

The state’s budget must be approved by June 30.