Republican legislators in Wisconsin announced Thursday that they have scaled back their plan to help fund repairs at the Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium by $54 million, the Associated Press reports, clearing the way for a vote on the state Assembly floor next week.
Assembly Republicans released a bill in September that called for the state to contribute $411 million and the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to contribute a combined $200 million from 2024 through 2050. The Brewers have agreed to chip in $100 million and extend their lease at American Family Field through 2050.
Milwaukee-area leaders argued the cash-strapped city and county can’t afford such contributions.
Rep. Robert Brooks, the plan’s chief architect, unveiled changes Thursday that would call for the city and county to each contribute $67.5 million through 2050. Their total combined contribution would now be $135 million.
The state’s contribution remains unchanged. The plan also assumes the Brewers will stick to their $100 million commitment. The changes also call for a study on developing restaurants and bars on the stadium’s parking lots to generate more sales taxes.
The Assembly’s state affairs committee approved the changes Thursday. The full chamber will vote Tuesday. Assembly approval would send the bill to the state Senate, which could make more changes.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers supports the revised plan.
