Senate to vote on Brewers ballpark bill Tuesday, here's where things stand

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Lawmakers are on the cusp of striking a deal to ensure the Brewers stay in Milwaukee until 2050, but there's still some convincing to do in the state Senate to make that happen.

On Wednesday, the Joint Finance Committee voted 15-1 to amend a funding bill to help maintain and renovate American Family Field. It also cleared the Senate Committee on Government Operations on a 3-2 vote.

The $628 million proposal, which largely relies on public funds, now heads to the Senate where the next hurdle is securing 17 votes to pass it. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu has indicated he will likely have to rely on Democratic votes since his GOP caucus is not fully on board.

Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison) voted against the bill in both committees. Sen. Julian Bradly also voted against the measure in the government operations committee. Bradley said the deal "falls shorts" and "does not meet the expectations of his constituents."

Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) told reporters she's the only Democrat certain to vote on the measure when it's on the floor Tuesday.

"So far, the only yes is me," Johnson said.

Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) said there's been "positive discussions" within her caucus but suggested it could be an uphill battle to pass the bill.

"I'm not going to tell you anybody loves it," Felzkowski said.

The Republican, who represents the Northwoods, said she'll support the proposal when it's up for vote Tuesday despite it being a tough "sell" to her constituents.

"I don't think we should be in the stadium business, but this is the deck of cards we've been dealt," Felzkowski said. "It's a hard sell back in my district because we have to educate our constituents that we own that stadium."

Sen. Howard Marklein, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, told reporters he'll likely be a yes vote.

"I think will get there," he said about meeting the 17 vote-threshold.

After weeks of public hearings and closed-door meetings, the proposal to fund repairs at the ballpark was amended Tuesday in hopes of gaining more support.

The package now requires the state to pitch in nearly $383 million, that's almost $30 million less than the original bill. The Brewers would also contribute $10 million more for a grand total of $110 million.

Milwaukee and Milwaukee County would pay $135 million over the next 27 years, a figure that was unchanged.

Also added to the bill:

Sen. Johnson said there are still changes she would have liked to see included, such as giving Milwaukee representation on the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Board, which oversees the stadium.

"The unfortunate thing is that because Republicans basically have control, I'm not sure that we'll see them. For example, the city and the county are asked to pay for the stadium, but they don't get one seat on the board. That's unfair."

The total price tag of the package is $628 million, down from 687 million. If approved by both chambers and signed by Gov. Tony Evers, the team would extend their lease at American Family Field until 2025.