DeWine Proposes Sports Tax Hike in Budget Plan

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has proposed doubling the state's sports betting tax from 20% to 40% as part of a new budget plan. This increase aims to generate additional revenue, estimated between $130 million to $288 million annually, which would be used to fund the construction and renovation of sports stadiums and support youth sports programs. The proposal comes as sports betting in Ohio has generated $1.83 billion in taxable revenue since its inception in 2023, and currently ranks as the sixth-highest tax rate in the country. With this change, Ohio would climb to the fourth-highest tax rate, following New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island. State lawmakers have shown mixed reactions, with some skepticism about the plan's implications. The budget also includes measures to fund K-12 education and provide more state assistance to families, with the entire proposal set to undergo legislative scrutiny in the coming months.