$2 ticket surcharge on concerts, non-Brewers events added to ballpark funding bill

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Concerts or monster truck shows at American Family field would be subject to a $2 ticket surcharge under a revised bill to fund repairs at the ballpark.

Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) unveiled an amendment to the proposal Tuesday which includes a ticket tax on non-Brewers events. The change would reduce the state's overall contribution by $29.5 million to help maintain and renovate AmFam field.

Events held at the ballpark, such as concerts and other performances, would face a $2 ticket tax and luxury box or suite tickets would include a $8 surcharge, under the bill. Brewers tickets would not be subject to an additional fee. The surcharge is estimated to bring $550,000 per year, according to the Legislature Fiscal Bureau. 

The overall package includes contributions from the state, Milwaukee and Milwaukee County and the team.

About $531 million would rely on public funds. That includes $67.5 million each from the city and county of Milwaukee and $382.4 million from the state. 

The amendment also includes requiring the team to pay an additional $10 million in rent payments. The team's contribution would now be $110 million, an increase from $100 million. 

Other revisions to the bill include auditing the stadium district's board's finances and studying possible redevelopment around the stadium.

Feyen said the changes were added to gain more support for the plan. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Gov. Tony Evers tried to persuade Democrats and Republicans to back the package. 

Republicans will likely have to rely on Democratic support to reach the 17-vote threshold the pass the bill. 

Even with the changes, Democrats still seem uninterested in the deal. 

Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) said she believes none one in her caucus would vote for it which is expected to be on the floor Tuesday.

"I don't think anyone has committed to voting for the bill," Roys said. "There is still time to do this right. Ultimately this is going to be a generational investment of public money into something that benefits a private organization. We have an obligation to do it in a smart way that looks out for the taxpayers."