Lawmakers to vote on Brewers renovations bill next week

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A deal has been reached on a sweeping $646 million package to fund renovations at American Family Field after weeks of negotiations between lawmakers, Milwaukee leaders, and the Brewers.

The Assembly Committee on State Affairs approved a revised bill that would pay for upgrades at the Brewers stadium and in return, the team would extend their lease to 2043. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said the bill will be up for a vote on Tuesday. It's unclear when the Senate will consider the measure.

A key aspect of the amended bill would reduce the financial contribution the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County both pay from $200 million to $135 million. The plan also includes $411 million from the state, and $100 million from the Brewers.

The financial burden was reduced on the city and county by lowering the administrative fee the state charges them to administer their sales tax.

Gov. Tony Evers backs the proposal and "appreciates the broad, bipartisan effort toward reaching a compromise that ensures the Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball remain in Wisconsin for future generations."

Rep. Rob Brooks, the Republican co-author of the bill, was also pleased to reach a compromise after the bill was introduced last month.

"To get to where we are today where we can truly say this does not have a negative impact…is a tremendous accomplishment," Brooks said.

The amended bill also includes provisions previously reported by CBS 58 including a workgroup that will study the idea of developing some of the current parking lot spaces. A ticket tax on non-Brewers events was also previously discussed and is likely to be added by the Senate, Brooks said.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the proposal has his "full support" and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley was pleased to reach "a positive agreement" with the Assembly.

"I now look ahead to engaging with members of the State Senate on a path forward," Crowley said. " My main priority has not changed: To deliver a bipartisan solution that allows Milwaukee and the state to retain the Brewers, while providing Milwaukee County with additional resources to support our residents and communities in the years ahead. I am looking forward to continued negotiations over the coming weeks."

The original bill proposed spending $600 million with the state pitching in $400 million and Milwaukee and Milwaukee County paying $200 million.

In February, Evers introduced his plan that would have used $290 million from the state's projected surplus to pay for long-term improvements. Republicans quickly rejected the proposal.