Proposed Cuyahoga County sin tax increase on alcohol and cigarettes will not make ballot this year...Blacks generally oppose the increase...By Clevelandurbannews.com, Ohio's Black digital news leader

- May 21, 2026

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com

Staff article ,

CLEVELAND, Ohio-The proposed Cuyahoga County "sin tax" increase that would have tripled or quadrupled taxes on alcoholic beverages and cigarettes is a no-go for this year after Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman declared the state will not grant permission for the county to put the tax hike on the ballot.

Black residents and grassroots leaders in Cuyahoga County generally oppose the sin tax increase. The sentiment is overwhelmingly critical across Cleveland’s lower-income and minority communities, where the proposed hikes on cigarettes and beer are widely viewed as a regressive measure that disproportionately burdens marginalized populations.

In addition to opposition from several Black leaders and community activists, the push to raise and extend the tax failed for several key reasons:

State Blockade: Democratic County Executive Chris Ronayne and local sports teams had lobbied the state to triple or quadruple the current excise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes (which haven't increased since 1990) to cover mounting maintenance costs at Progressive Field, Rocket Arena, and the Brook Park Browns stadium site. However, Ohio legislative leaders, led by Republicans, refused to advance the necessary legislation in 2026.
The Brook Park Dispute: Complicating the issue was a debate over whether the sin tax dollars should follow the Browns to the suburbs if they leave downtown, a move county officials strongly opposed, arguing that it should not be funded with general public tax money.
Voter Hesitancy: Polling indicated that county residents were highly resistant to extending or raising the sin tax if the money would be used to support a new stadium in Brook Park.

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com are the most-read Black digital newspaper and blog in Ohio and the Midwest. Tel. 216-659-0473. Email-editor@clevelandurbannews.com.