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Scott Walker Signs Bill Clearing Public Funds For Bucks’ Arena

The bill calls for Bucks owners to cover the cost of $250 million, while taxpayers cover the cost for the other $250 million.

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Had the Bucks left, Walker said, the state would be out at least $6.5 million a year in income taxes that National Basketball Association players and staff now pay.

“I don’t think taxpayer money should be used for things like that”, he said, explaining Walker should “let the private sector in Milwaukee work on that”. But Walker and supporters said it would cost taxpayers more to lose the team.

The bill passed the state legislature last month, with bipartisan support.

Walker has also faced questions on the campaign trail about the deal and whether it fits with his image as a fiscal hawk not intimidated by threats.

Rickman’s coalition is not only calling for an agreement that gives workers at the new stadium a living wage and the right to unionize, they’re pushing for a promise that the jobs will go to the people who live in the impoverished neighborhoods surrounding Milwaukee’s downtown. Herb Kohl (D), himself an ex-franchise owner. This plan is likely related to the fact that the Bucks’ owner, Jon Hammes, donated 0,000 to Walker’s super PAC.

[Milwaukee Bucks hoping to go from good to… good]. The Bucks take on the Knicks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center October 28th. The small space lacks the amenities of modern arenas and has been blamed for some of the team’s problems.

“Why should you burden all the rest of the taxpayers?” said Thomson, whose state holds the first primary February 9. Yet as Slate notes, the $299 million loss is obviously a lot less significant compared to the $400 million expected toll on taxpayers’ wallets.

This is not an unusual arrangement for Wisconsin. The leagues sign certain deals and make promises about the team not going anywhere, but will nearly always side with the owners when it comes to disputes about new arena financing. The state Assembly gave final legisl… Sure, Bucks ownership would love for ground to be broken this fall and for the arena to be completed by 2017 and though that certainly is a doable timeline, it is still a tight one and all sorts of delays in construction could happen.

“How does he explain it to undecided or Republican primary voters?”

“Government shouldn’t subsidize professional sports facilities, particularly state governments”, said state Rep. Dean Knudson, of Hudson, one of 20 Republicans who voted against the plan.

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Walker’s move providing the Milwaukee Bucks with a new home court has raised criticism at home while he seeks the Oval Office next year. Also, just tell everyone you have no money.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker holds up the Milwaukee Bucks arena financing legislation he signed Wednesday morning