Mike DeWine used budget vetoes with future Ohio governors in mind

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Of the substantial 67 state budget provisions Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed, three protected his successors' authority.

DeWine vetoed three provisions to protect governors' powers in Ohio: one that would limit which flags could be hung on state-owned buildings and two provisions regarding the next biennial budget cycle. Just one of these items would have affected his tenure as governor, as term-limited DeWine will transfer power after the 2026 gubernatorial election, but he said the vetoes were important to preserve future governors' flexibility. See previous coverage of the budget in the video player above.

This marks the fourth and final biennial budget DeWine has signed into law, and he vetoed more line items then any previous budget he oversaw. Previously, his record was 44 in 2023. He vetoed 14 items in 2021 and 25 in 2019, his inaugural year.

The only provision that would have affected DeWine's tenure was the flag limitations. Under the budget draft, state buildings in Ohio would only be allowed to fly state agency flags or the Ohio, U.S. and POW/MIA flags. DeWine said this removed the governor's right to honor other groups.

"The governor should have the authority to approve additional flags not included in this section to ensure state-owned properties can properly pay respect to the armed forces and other worthy public causes as deemed necessary by the governor," DeWine said.

DeWine also vetoed two provisions that would have adjusted how the maximum budget amount is calculated. He said the budget already goes through months of vetting in both chambers of the General Assembly, so added protections would just complicate matters for his successor.

"(This) will make the development of the fiscal year 2028-2029 budget difficult for the next governor," DeWine wrote in his veto explanation.

A spokesperson for the Governor's office said state budgets often include limits on executive powers that get vetoed. This budget stands out, however, as DeWine is acting primarily for his successor.

The race for Ohio's next governor is more than a year away, but the Ohio Republican Party has already given its support to billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy was endorsed by the party in May, with Republican challenger and current Attorney General Dave Yost removing himself from the race a week later.

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressell told NBC News in a statement that he is considering a run for governor, but he has yet to declare.

Dr. Amy Acton, who led the state's early COVID-19 response alongside DeWine, is the only Democrat who has declared candidacy. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown and former Rep. Tim Ryan are both rumored to be considering a gubernatorial race, but Acton remains the sole Democrat in the race for now.