Brewers funding bill not a home run in Senate, changes expected to gain support
MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) -- The proposal that would fund repairs at American Family Field is not a home run yet.
During a Senate hearing Wednesday, Oct. 25, GOP authors of the bill offered a series of changes to the bill in an attempt to win-over Republican and Democrats.
Before the hearing, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu told CBS 58 he does not have enough Republican votes to pass the bill.
"We do not have 17 votes currently," LeMahieu said. "We are working to try and get there."
LeMahieu added his caucus is looking for a bigger contribution from the Brewers ($100M) and less from the state.
— Emilee Fannon (@Emilee_Fannon) October 25, 2023
It’s unclear how many Dems support the bill that would spend $546M in public funds to upgrade AmFam Field. https://t.co/bs4Mz6X0nX pic.twitter.com/LyzmuY4L4a
Republicans hold a 22-11 majority in the Senate and 17 votes are required for a bill to pass. LeMahieu said his caucus would like to see a larger contribution from the Brewers and a lower amount from the state.
Rep. Rob Brooks (R-Saukville), who co-authored the proposal, said adding a ticket tax on non-Brewers events would help reduce the $411 million contribution from the state.
"I would like that to be a lower dollar amount from the state and I think we can do that by taking a portion of the non-brewer ticket tax events," Brooks said.
The Brewers have committed to pitching in $100 million, and Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee would both contribute $135 million over 27 years.
Changes floated during the public hearing included items previously reported, such as adding a fee to concerts tickets and other events held at ballpark, auditing the Stadium District Board's finances, and creating a taskforce to study possible development around the stadium.
Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and other Democrats have asked to use some of the parking lots at Am-Fam to create development like the Deer District outside Fiserv Forum and Title Town in Green Bay.
"I would like the stadium district to have the option to modify or exempt some of the parking from the lease," Roys said. "Something to basically not allow a unilateral veto over development."
Rick Schlesinger, President of Business Operations for the Brewers, said he's not opposed to studying the "pros and cons" of development but stressed it could be problematic.
"When people talk about carving up the lots for other things, they say well you can just build parking garages," Schlesinger said. "I get very nervous about parking garages. Obviously, you can't tailgate in a parking garage."
He also said parking lot space varies given the day and time of the game.
"If I'm playing the Pittsburgh Pirates on a Tuesday in April, I have a lot of spaces. If I'm playing the Cubs in July, I run out of parking."
Roys also urged changing the makeup of the board that oversees the stadium. Milwaukee county is currently involved, but it would lose its representation under the bill as it's written.
The bill would allow four members to be picked by Gov. Evers, two members from Assembly and Senate leadership and one person appointed by the governor from a list the Brewers provide.
Sen. Julian Bradley (R-Franklin) didn't seem impressed with the package either. He asked about a possible tax on Brewers game tickets, an idea Brooks called a "non-starter."
The public hearing comes after the Assembly passed the spending bill 69-27 last week that would fund more than a half-billion dollars in maintenance and upgrades at the Brewers ballpark.
Gov. Evers signaled his support for the bill last week, but it's unclear whether he'll support any additional changes the Senate may consider.
The team's current lease runs through 2030 and it would be extended until 2050, under the bill.
For months, lawmakers have been negotiating a deal with the Brewers, Milwaukee officials, as well as Evers to ensure the team stays in Milwaukee for future generations.