Public funding for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena cleared the state Senate late Wednesday afternoon on a 21-10 vote.
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On the other hand, multiple senators from both parties were opposed to the arena funding proposal with seven Democrats and three Republicans voting no. Added to the bill was a $2 ticket surcharge, with $1.50 going to the Wisconsin Center District and the remainder going to the state. GOP Senate leaders hope to take up the bill this week but need minority Democrats to join them to muster enough votes to pass the measure.
“It sends a great message to the state of Wisconsin that this project should get done”, he said immediately after the vote. Last Week highlighted ads from the Milwaukee Bucks claiming the new arena would create a “ripple effect” of new economic development and revitalize parts of Milwaukee.
$250 million in public money will go to the project, another $250 million dollars will be contributed by the Bucks owners, and former owner Herb Kohl.
The arena financing package is also subject to approval by the Milwaukee Common Council for the city’s $47 million portion of the deal, which will include a $35 million parking structure and $12 million in tax incremental financing. The body was expected to reconvene and take up the revised bill by Wednesday evening.
Nick Novak from the conservative MacIver Institute says there are a number of liberals and conservatives who oppose the idea of putting tax dollars toward a private arena – especially one used primarily by wealthy team owners.
Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Allouez) voted against the deal and noted Lambeau Field was renovated for the Green Bay Packers using an increase in the sales tax in Brown County that local voters approved. They also said that changes to the bill were possible.
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With a 63-36 majority, Republicans in the Assembly have gotten everything they’ve wanted. He said he’d keep talking to the state about striking a deal on debt collection without a mandate. “While this wasn’t a flawless deal, I look forward to continuing to work in the future to make it better”, she said in a statement. “””(But) I still strongly believe investing in an arena is a generational opportunity for the county”.
