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Property taxes, Browns stadium, marijuana money: What to know about Ohio House budget

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Property taxes, Browns stadium, marijuana money: What to know about Ohio House budget



The Ohio House passed a two-year budget plan that would revamp school funding and help pay for a new Cleveland Browns stadium

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  • The Ohio House passed a two-year budget proposal that includes funding for a new Cleveland Browns stadium and changes to school funding.
  • Other provisions include increased funding for public libraries, restrictions on transgender rights and changes to marijuana revenue allocation.
  • The budget also addresses other issues, such as election oversight, Medicaid coverage and in-person work for state employees.

Ohio would change how it pays for schools and help the Cleveland Browns build a new stadium under a budget plan approved Wednesday by the Ohio House.

The House voted 60-39 to pass its two-year budget proposal, which outlines how the state would spend money on services and to what extent taxpayers cover the cost. The House budget isn’t the final version: The Senate will make changes, then lawmakers will hash out differences among each other and Gov. Mike DeWine.

DeWine must sign a balanced budget by June 30.

“This is a budget that increases funding for public schools, increases funding for higher education, increases funding for libraries, largest tax relief for property tax in Ohio’s history,” Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, said.

Here’s what you need to know about the House plan.

Ohio House votes to provide $600M in bonds for new Cleveland Browns stadium

Ohio would provide $600 million in bonds to help the Browns build a domed stadium in Brook Park. Including interest, this would cost the state about $1 billion over 30 years to repay. A last-minute change increased the Browns’ initial deposit by $11.5 million.

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House Republicans say the Browns’ plan will transform the local economy and make Ohio a top destination for football fans. But Cleveland leaders and some state officials − including Attorney General Dave Yost − contend the move is illegal, too expensive and may not benefit the state as promised.

On Wednesday, Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, offered an amendment to prevent Ohio from offering loans for professional sports stadiums, but it failed by one vote.

DeWine floated a higher sports gambling tax to pay for stadium projects, but the House scrapped his proposal.

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School funding and property taxes

The House budget spends $231 million more on public schools for the next two years, but it abandons the funding formula that Republicans and Democrats approved in 2021. Critics say the plan doesn’t keep up with inflation and amounts to a cut for school districts that expected millions more from the state.

It also would:

  • Require counties to reduce homeowners’ property taxes if a school district’s reserves exceed 30% of its previous budget.
  • Spend $35 million to create savings accounts for students who attend non-chartered private schools, which don’t accept vouchers “because of truly held religious beliefs,” according to the Department of Education and Workforce.
  • Increase the tax credit for home-school expenses from $250 per family to $250 per student.

Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Westlake, said the money belongs to the citizens.

“We shouldn’t make such drastic decisions that could really implode the way that we are funding our schools and could very seriously lead to even further property taxes,” she said.

Changes to Medicaid program

The House plan would cut Medicaid expansion coverage if the federal government’s funding drops below 90%. It also limits Medicaid coverage for doula services to six counties with the highest infant mortality rates.

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The budget prohibits the Department of Medicaid from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, with the exception of services for people with disabilities.

New plan to pay for public libraries

House lawmakers increased funding for public libraries after outcry over the cuts they initially proposed. But legislators are still spending $90.8 million less than what DeWine pitched.

Lawmakers also changed how libraries are funded: Rather than getting a set percentage of state revenue, the Legislature would decide how much to spend every two years.

The budget would also require libraries to place materials related to sexual orientation or gender identity in adult sections.

What about marijuana revenue?

DeWine wants to increase taxes on recreational marijuana and divert the funding to jail construction, law enforcement training, suicide prevention and more.

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The House kept the tax rate at 10% but changed how money would be spent: Municipalities with dispensaries would get 20% of the revenue for five years, and the rest would go into the state’s general bank account. Lawmakers also want to give the Division of Cannabis Control $10 million annually to partner with a statewide nonprofit on substance use prevention and education.

Current law directs revenue to local governments in perpetuity, in addition to funding for addiction services and a now-defunct social equity program.

House plan takes aim at transgender rights

The House budget would make it the official policy of Ohio to recognize only two sexes − something President Donald Trump did immediately upon taking office. It also:

  • Prohibits Medicaid funding for mental health services that “promote or affirm social gender transition.”
  • Bans menstrual products in men’s restrooms.
  • Prohibits money for youth homelessness from being used on gender-affirming care.

What else is in the House budget?

The proposed budget also would:

  • Eliminate DeWine’s increase in cigarette taxes to fund a $1,000 tax credit for Ohioans with young children.
  • Abolish the Ohio Elections Commission and shift its authority to the secretary of state’s office or county boards.
  • Make county coroners an appointed position instead of elected.
  • Increase pay for local elected officials.
  • Require adults to provide photo identification to view porn and other material that is “obscene or harmful to juveniles” online.
  • Make it a crime to create deepfake porn, which uses technology to make explicit images.
  • Require state employees to work in the office starting Jan. 1.
  • Provide a $750 income deduction for donations to pregnancy resource centers, which aim to deter people from having an abortion.
  • Ask the federal government for permission to exclude sugary drinks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
  • Allow online fireworks sales.

State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@gannett.com or @haleybemiller on X and Bluesky.

State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@gannett.com or @jbalmert on X.

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What do you think Ohio lawmakers should focus on in the state budget?



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Ex-husband arrested in deaths of Ohio dentist and his wife | CNN

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Ex-husband arrested in deaths of Ohio dentist and his wife | CNN


The ex-husband of Monique Tepe has been arrested in connection with the killings of the mother and her husband Spencer Tepe, a respected dentist, in their Ohio home last week, Columbus police said Saturday.

Michael David McKee, 39, who court records identify as Monique Tepe’s ex-husband, is in custody in Winnebago County, Illinois, according to inmate records with the sheriff’s office.

McKee is scheduled to appear in court Monday, records show. He was arrested on two counts of murder in the killings on Saturday, an incident report shows, and was taken into custody “without incident” in Rockford, Illinois, police said.

Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were found dead with apparent gunshot wounds on December 30 in their house in Columbus. The couple’s two children, ages 4 and 1, were also inside but were not physically harmed, police said.

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The arrest marks a major development in the case after the suspect in the couple’s killings remained on the loose for more than 10 days, during which police released scant details on the investigation.

Police said Saturday they will release further information “as appropriate” to avoid compromising the “active and ongoing case progress” and urged people to contact them with any information related to the tragedy.

Authorities did not find any obvious signs of forced entry or any firearm at the scene, CNN affiliate WSYX reported.

Colleagues in Spencer Tepe’s dental practice called 911 after he uncharacteristically didn’t show up to work. One of Tepe’s friends went to the couple’s house, peered inside and saw a gruesome scene next to a bed, according to emergency dispatch audio.

“There’s … there’s a body,” the friend told 911. “Our friend wasn’t answering his phone. We just did a wellness check. We just came here. And he appears dead.”

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Asked if Tepe had been ill, the friend responded, “No, no. I was just with him yesterday.”

The couple’s two children and dog are now in the care of relatives, the Tepes’ brother-in-law said.



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Ohio high school girls basketball scores: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

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Ohio high school girls basketball scores: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026


CLEVELAND, Ohio — OHSAA girls basketball scores from Friday in Ohio, as provided by The Associated Press.

Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, Mich. 43, Notre Dame Academy 35

Baltimore Liberty Union 47, Cols. Hamilton Twp. 34

Berlin Center Western Reserve 68, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 46

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Blanchester 40, Bethel-Tate 37

Chagrin Falls 37, Burton Berkshire 32

Circleville 62, Amanda-Clearcreek 40

Cle. Hay 88, Cle. Glenville 2

Cols. Centennial 78, Columbus International 50

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Cols. Linden-McKinley 54, Cols. Whetstone 28

Cols. Walnut Ridge 73, Cols. Marion-Franklin 12

Delaware Buckeye Valley 50, CSG 43

Delta 48, Bryan 44

Dublin Coffman 47, Cols. Upper Arlington 39

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Hilliard Darby 43, Thomas Worthington 32

Johnstown 47, Johnstown Northridge 41

Mason 54, Cin. Colerain 32

Newark 56, Ashville Teays Valley 42

Oak Harbor 52, Millbury Lake 31

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Ohio Deaf 50, Ky. School for the Deaf, Ky. 9

Pemberville Eastwood 65, Rossford 35

Pickerington North 41, New Albany 33

Springboro 66, Centerville 33

Stryker 54, Montpelier 20

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W. Chester Lakota W. 76, Fairfield 24

Wauseon 55, Swanton 13

Western Reserve Academy 65, Lawrenceville School, N.J. 33

Westerville Cent. 57, Grove City Cent. Crossing 20

Worthington Christian 57, Tree of Life 16

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Zanesville 58, Newark Licking Valley 40



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Ohio State students hone academic, business skills through study abroad programs

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Ohio State students hone academic, business skills through study abroad programs


Students across various majors at The Ohio State University recently gathered at the Fisher College of Business to discuss how study abroad opportunities have helped them hone skills that will benefit their studies and chosen career paths.

Fisher’s Office of Global Business and its Office of Advancement hosted the inaugural Global Experience Luncheon. The event was held at the Blackwell Inn on the Columbus campus.

The luncheon brought together alumni who have donated to study abroad programs with students who have participated in them, said Dominic DiCamillo, senior director of the Office of Global Business.

“We were excited to partner with Advancement for the first time to facilitate this type of personal connection. The families that have created these endowments, oftentimes, they hoped it would have some sort of positive impact,” he said. “This is the first time for them to hear firsthand from the students who recently participated.”

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Xin Lin, a third-year finance student, shared her experiences studying abroad in Hamburg, Germany, and Chiang Mai, Thailand. While in Germany in summer 2024, Lin completed the Fisher Freshman Global Lab with Professor Michael Knemeyer and studied at the Kühne Logistics University.

During Lin’s semester in Germany, her cohort toured the facilities of several international companies, including the Mercedes-Benz auto manufacturer, Seven Senders logistics enterprise, and Jack Wolfskin outdoor apparel.

“This was my first time being in Europe,” she said. “It was a really eye-opening experience and taught me to be curious about exploring other cultures, which is why I made the decision to study abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand.”

This past summer in Chiang Mai, Lin completed the competitive Fisher Global Consulting: Nonprofit program, which is funded by an endowment established by Chris Connor, a 1978 Ohio State alumnus, and his wife, Sara. The participating students, called Connor Scholars, gain firsthand insights into the cultures and business practices of countries in developing regions worldwide.

“We were there for two weeks working on the sustainability and the marketing for the local elephant foundation, as well as to support the villagers,” she said. “And my team and I, we worked on the sustainability curriculum for the local school.”

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Lin said participating in study abroad programs sharpened her decision-making and problem-solving skills.

“Leveraging these experiences has strengthened my understanding of international business and macroeconomics,” she said. “Most importantly, it is the growth mindset and the endless learning that these experiences have taught me, and I’m really excited to be carrying these values into my future career and my academic journey.”

Jacob Brodson, a fourth-year marketing major, said participating in the Fisher Global Marketing Lab in Taiwan this past summer was “a transformational, life-changing trip.”

Jacob Brodson (center) said he met more than 25 Ohio State alumni in Taiwan.“If you can go to someplace that’s so fundamentally different from what we experience here on a day-to-day basis, you should absolutely take the opportunity to,” he said. “And Taiwan is that opportunity.”

Brodson said studying marketing and visiting 10 companies in Taiwan gave him a broader perspective on business practices in different countries.

“We went to TSMC, which is the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. That’s the 10th largest company in the world that you probably have never heard of, but they make all the phone and computer chips that are in your cellphones,” he said. “It was an unbelievable experience to see that.”

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Brodson and his classmates also toured a Kenda Tire facility.

“They actually do a lot of marketing at Ohio State sporting events because their U.S. headquarters is out in Reynoldsburg,” Brodson said. “We got to see their entire manufacturing plant in Taiwan.”

Brodson said he was pleasantly surprised to discover a Buckeye community overseas. He met more than 25 Ohio State alumni throughout Taiwan.

“We are halfway across the world and yet the most beautiful thing is that there are still reminders of home. We’re halfway across the country and there are still Buckeyes there,” he said. “That is one of the coolest things – seeing the Ohio State alumni and the fact that this Buckeye tradition transcends countries.”

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