Get ready, Madison, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin state Senate is set to greenlight a proposal allocating more than $500 million in public funds to carry out much-needed repairs at the Milwaukee Brewers stadium over the next three decades. This comes as the Senate is gearing up to vote during a floor session commencing Tuesday morning.
While some GOP members have expressed opposition to the package, others, including Republican Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, are working to secure enough votes for it to pass. Nevertheless, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has shown his support, with Governor Tony Evers signaling his backing for the Senate version of the package.
The Brewers are seeking assistance for a multitude of repairs required at the 22-year-old American Family Field. Without help, they previously hinted at the possibility of relocating from Milwaukee. Notably, the team’s president of business operations, Rick Schlesinger, emphasized their desire to remain in the city. However, debates over such substantial public funding for professional sports teams always spark controversy.
Legislative leaders are motivated by the potential loss of substantial tax revenue if the Brewers leave Milwaukee, and therefore have been crafting a plan to assist the team since September. The previous plan approved by the Assembly saw the state pledging $411.5 million, with the city and county contributing $135 million. In addition to scaling back the state contribution to $382.5 million, Senate Republicans have altered the package by introducing a ticket surcharge for non-baseball events. This move is aimed at generating an estimated $14.1 million by 2050.
