Ohio Gov. DeWine Signs $60B Budget, Vetoes 67 Items Including Election Integrity Clause

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the state's $60 billion budget into law, which includes an income tax cut for high earners and allocates $600 million for a new Cleveland Browns stadium, while vetoing 67 items he deemed not in Ohio's best interest. Despite some modest wins, the budget maintains current state-funded child care levels, changes provider payments in ways that child care advocates say will hurt the sector, and faces criticism for potentially causing a $600 million shortfall as federal funds dry up. DeWine also partially vetoed a provision to create an Election Integrity Unit within the Secretary of State's Office, citing concerns about prosecutorial ethics and public confidence. Public schools have urged the governor to veto certain budget provisions they argue would harm education funding and restrict levy ballots. The budget does not support the Fair School Funding Plan, raising concerns about long-term equity in education funding. Additional vetoes include provisions related to public library book placement and school district revenue carryover limits.