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'No Definitive Resolution Yet' on Dividing Sin Tax Dollars for Stadiums, Budish Says

The stadium, field, and complex where the Browns, Cavs, and Indians play before regional sports fans (ideastream file photos by Brian Bull)

Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are still working out how to divide revenue raised by the so called "sin tax" for the city's major sports facilities. 

In May 2014, voters renewed the tax on alcohol and cigarettes for another 20 years.

But in a question-and-answer session with Cleveland City Council, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish said it hasn't been settled yet how much money each facility will get.

"There's been no definitive resolution yet," Budish said. "Again, I think we're moving closer together, but we're not there yet."

The tax has been in place since the 1990s, and now raises about $13 million each year. The money would fund renovations to the stadiums and arena used by the Indians, Browns and Cavaliers. The teams are planning upgrades to plumbing and electrical systems, roof repairs and a new scoreboard at Quicken Loans Arena, among other projects. 

Nick Castele was a senior reporter covering politics and government for Ideastream Public Media. He worked as a reporter for Ideastream from 2012-2022.