Cleveland, OH

Cleveland could get women's pro soccer stadium under proposed Ohio House spending bill – Ohio Capital Journal

Published

2 years ago

February 9, 2024

Cleveland could get women's pro soccer stadium under proposed Ohio House spending bill – Ohio Capital Journal

The Cleveland soccer community is thrilled that the Ohio House passed a spending bill that includes a million dollars to create a pro women’s stadium downtown.

Helena, Maia and Chloe Murphy love being on the field, and dad Michael loves soccer, too. He runs the Cleveland Soccer Group, an organization trying to get a National Women’s Soccer League team to the 216.

“It’s so critical that our young girls, including my three daughters, have ‘sheroes,’” Murphy said.

His dreams may become a reality.

The Ohio House passed a part of a spending bill, one that gives $1 million to create the women’s soccer stadium.

“It’s really a chance for Ohio and Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to step up and say, ‘We’ve been very fair in funding men’s professional sports facilities in the state for a long time; we haven’t done anything for women,’” he said. “Here’s a chance for equity, inclusion and really to grab lightning in a bottle.”

Right now, Ohio is competing with several other states for the next pro women’s team in the country.

Cleveland Democratic state representatives Bride Rose Sweeney and Terrence Upchurch fought for this funding.

“I’m really proud of the work that we did to put people over politics and to put money back into the hands of our constituents and our communities that we represent,” Sweeney said.

The building of this stadium could show the league that the state is serious about the bid, Upchurch added.

“This is just another sports team that will just be an economic driver, hopefully a community partner and an asset to the city of Cleveland — along with our many other assets we have,” he said.

But it’s possible that the Senate will take out this money.

This spending bill, House Bill 2, contains two different aspects so far. There is the $350 million one-time funding that came from a surplus from the last operating budget, and there is $1.65 billion in other bondable appropriations — totaling about $2 billion.

This is confusing, which the lawmakers acknowledge.

In plain English — the projects slated to receive the $1.65 billion are typically in the capital budget — however, the House Finance leaders wanted to get the projects done before the full and extensive capital budget comes out.

There are concerns with the amount of funds given, though, Murphy said.

“There has to be substantially more dollars,” he said.

That being said, he and Sweeney share the belief that this is just the starting point of the conversation.

“We love our Cavs, our Browns, our Guardians — our NWSL club would be the fourth major league team in the same breath,” Murphy said.

The bill is headed over to the Senate.

Chamber drama

It would be an understatement to say that House Speaker Jason Stephens and Senate President Matt Huffman have a contentious relationship.

The pair make polite jabs at each other during press gaggles, but behind the scenes seem content with not working with each other.

For example, the Senate passed a proposal dealing with marijuana policy — restricting marijuana possession, lowering THC levels and making it more expensive. The House refuses to take it up because they believe the Senate is “going against the will of the people.”

The Senate passed S.B. 83, a controversial bill overhauling the higher education system. House leadership has continued to let it stall, saying there are problems with it — angering Senate Republicans.

The House passed the previous two-year operating budget in a bipartisan manner, like they did with the portion of H.B. 2. However, the Senate basically decimated the House’s proposal last year — causing them to go into conference committee for an extended amount of time to bargain for their needs.

Huffman is expected to challenge Stephens for House speakership next January. He has a faction of supporters within the House currently, and candidates have told WEWS/OCJ that Huffman has helped support their bid to knock out the Stephens’ team incumbents.

Moving back to the budget:

That one-time funding amount is $700 million total. According to House Finance Chair Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville), the House and the Senate agreed that each chamber would get to decide on half of it — or $350 million.

That was repeatedly echoed throughout the budget process by the representatives. Then, Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) released a statement Wednesday, potentially killing all of the project proposals.

“To be clear, there is no such agreement,” Huffman wrote in a memo to the Senate members. “The bill passed by the House did not include negotiations or discussions with members of the Senate or with the Senate President.”

Huffman never agreed not to touch the House’s half, he seemed to say.

“Approving a large spending bill without additional debate would be irresponsible and an abdication of the duties of the Senate,” he added. “Normally, both chambers work together to create an agreed upon bill. For unknown reasons, the House chose to break from that process.”

House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) seemed annoyed at the president’s claims — and addressed the memo to reporters after the session.

“It was widely published that the House was going to deal with $350 million, the Senate was going to deal with $350 million — which is exactly what we did,” Stephens said.

Edwards said the reason why the House moved ahead of the Senate was because the other chamber was “ready with their projects,” and had asked the House finance leadership. The Senate finance leadership asked the House to put their projects and money up now, he said.

“It was also agreed upon at that time that our $350 wouldn’t be touched by them,” Edwards continued. “Their $350 wouldn’t be touched by us — they get to spend their $350 however they want.”

Huffman doesn’t seem interested.

“The Senate will continue to follow its timeline announced in December for this year’s Capital Budget process which includes the additional $700 million for the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund, with the goal of both chambers passing a single agreed upon bill later in May or early June,” he said.

Upchurch took a swing at the Senate, as well — preparing for if the other chamber tries to take out the soccer stadium.

“These folks claim that they care about women’s sports; I think that supporting this project is a way to do that,” the Democrat said.

He is referencing H.B. 68, legislation that banned transgender middle and high schoolers, plus college, from participating in athletics with cisgender peers. Advocates for the bill said this would protect the integrity of women’s sports. Opponents argued that supporters have never cared about women’s sports before.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.

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Cleveland, OH

WKYC Channel 3

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7 hours ago

March 27, 2026

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Northeast Ohio drag performers speak out against HB 249

Published

19 hours ago

March 26, 2026

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Northeast Ohio drag performers speak out against HB 249

CLEVELAND — For Kyle Burnett, drag is more than just a hobby, discovering the art form after falling into a deep depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burnett, who is nonbinary, has been living in Ohio for more than a decade and has performed as “Zoey Zegai” for five of those years.

What You Need To Know

2025 is considered one of the most dangerous years on record for LGBTQ+ Americans, according to GLAAD

The nonprofit reports that more than 930 anti-LGBTQ incidents were recorded last year, ranging from hate speech to threats and physical violence

Ohio is now one of several U.S. states at the center of political debate over LGBTQ rights

House Bill 249, widely referred to as the “drag ban,” is now heading to the Ohio Senate after passing in the House this week

“It was a tough time … I found drag not only as a way of entertainment, but embracing myself as a queer member of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Burnett, who uses he/they pronouns.

While Burnett has been met with substantial support, he said, he’s noticed a recent shift in societal attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community over the last year.

“I had my purse and was wearing short shorts because Ohio gets hot in the summertime, and I had a beer bottle thrown at me from outside of someone’s car window,” Burnett said.

“Zoey Zegai,” which Burnett said, is influenced by old-school divas like Joan Crawford and newer divas like Jinkx Monsoons.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been proposed during the 2026 legislative session nationwide.

One of these bills is HB 249, or the “Indecent Exposure Modernization Act,” which would restrict drag performances to adult entertainment venues. The policy also changes the definition of public indecency to include “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s biological sex using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers.”

TransOhio Executive Director Dara Adkison said the bill uses broad language and could criminalize gender-diverse expression.

“It’s really making a statute that law enforcement professionals get to enforce their personal ideas about what is and isn’t appropriate gender representation, what is and isn’t performance. You know, is it singing karaoke? Is it being and drag queen? I know, is it a trans person walking down?” said Adkison, who uses they/them pronouns.

While many Ohioans are expressing concerns about the bill targeting transgender people and drag performers, nonprofit Equality Ohio said, the legislation’s impact expands to athletes and countless others.

The bill revises a previous code banning the exposure of “private parts” to now ban the exposure of “private areas,” said Dwayne Steward, Executive Director of Equality Ohio.

“Because the language they use is so vague, it really can apply to anyone, really. The language has been shifted from ‘obscenity’ … someone showing their genitals … to anyone showing their ‘genital area’, which could mean anyone who’s wearing a sports bra, a cheerleader who may be showing their midriff. “

Supporters of HB 249 said the bill is meant to protect children, while others have said this argument reinforces a harmful narrative surrounding drag performances.

“People, immediately when they see drag, they think that it is something that is sexual, something that is trying to indoctrinate children, to expose them to sexual content. And that’s not the case in any capacity,” Olivia Kowslowski.

Kowslowski is born and raised in northeast Ohio, now performing as “Monica Mod.”

Kowslowski, who started first started performing drag in Jan. 2022.

“I think that my perspective is important because it just shows that the bill is harmful to many people, including people that they were not expecting to be impacted by this,” she said. “… Most people don’t realize that when I’m in drag, I am, I’m a cisgender woman.”

While she’s become well known around her college campus’ drag scene, Kowslowski said, she and other performers are facing additional barriers.

“I have found that finding bookings is much more difficult because many venues are a lot more hesitant to host drag events at their spaces, or even support drag entertainers and their venues. Mainly from HB 249,” she said.

The Democratic Society of America’s Cleveland chapter recently announced it is launching a Gender Freedom Policy Petition that would go against “recent legislation calling to limit and ban drag performances,” calling it, “an injustice to not only the drag scene but also the broader Cleveland community.”

The petitions also includes provisions “that safeguard drag performers” and call for city-backed gender-affirming care services.

HB 249 now remains under review by the Ohio Senate and would require the governor’s signature before going into effect.

While the future remains uncertain, Burnett said, he and others in the drag community are hoping to build wider solidarity across all Ohio populations.

“We’re all just trying to live the same day-to-day life, get groceries, pay bills, drive to-and-from work. But there’s no room for hate,” Burnett said. “There’s no room for violence. We just want to feel like Ohio citizens.”

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Cleveland Guardians Legend Announces Retirement From MLB Before Opening Day

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Guardians Legend Announces Retirement From MLB Before Opening Day

Getty

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 01: Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs , hit a two-run RBI double during the first inning in Game Six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

On Thursday evening, the Cleveland Guardians will play their first game of the 2026 regular season when they visit the Mariners in Seattle.

Before Opening Day, a franchise legend announced that he is calling it quits on his baseball career.

Cleveland Guardians Legend Announces Retirement

GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 10: Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians hits a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning during a game at Progressive Field on April 10, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Roberto Perez (who last played in 2023) announced his retirement from baseball (h/t MLB Trade Rumors).

Perez wrote (via Instagram): “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to officially retire from baseball. This game has been a major part of my life and has shaped me both on and off the field. Through baseball, I’ve learned discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the importance of commitment. I am deeply grateful for every coach, teammate, trainer, and supporter who helped me along the way and believed in me throughout my journey. While this decision was not an easy one, I feel confident that it is the right time to step away and begin the next chapter of my life. I leave the game with nothing but respect and appreciation for everything it has given me. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this experience and for the opportunities, lessons, and memories that will stay with me forever. Sincerely, Roberto Bebo Perez🙏🏻⚾️”

Perez’s MLB Career

GettyCHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 29: Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians walks across the field in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game Four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on October 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Perez was picked in the 33rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft.

He spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Guardians.

In that span, the 37-year-old won two Gold Glove Awards (and helped the franchise reach the World Series).

GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 31: Roberto Perez #55 and Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians hug at the mound after defeating the Minnesota Twins 6-2 at Target Field on July 31, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Perez also spent the final two seasons of his ten-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants.

Over 516 career games, he batted .207 with 55 home runs, 193 RBI’s and 165 runs.

GettyNEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: Roberto Perez #1 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 30, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Current Guardians

GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Manager Stephen Vogt #12 of the Cleveland Guardians speaks with the media following game one of the American League Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

The Guardians are coming off a season where they won the AL Central with an 88-74 record.

They lost to the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card Round.

Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.

He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar

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