Current:Home > StocksRepublicans tweak Brewers stadium repair plan to cut the total public contribution by $54 million -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Republicans tweak Brewers stadium repair plan to cut the total public contribution by $54 million
View
Date:2025-04-16 22:06:08
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — 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, clearing the way for a vote on the state Assembly floor next week.
Reports commissioned by the Brewers and another by a state consultant found American Family Field’s glass outfield doors, seats and concourses should be replaced, its luxury suites and technology such as its sound system and video scoreboard need upgrades, and its signature retractable roof needs repairs. Fire suppression systems, parking lots, elevators and escalators need work, too.
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, keeping Major League Baseball in its smallest market for at least an additional 27 years.
The team so far has not threatened to leave Milwaukee if it doesn’t get public help, but relocation is always a possibility if a city willing to pay the team’s bills steps forward.
Republicans touted the proposal, stressing that income taxes on Brewers employees would cover the state’s expenditures and residents would not face any new taxes. But Milwaukee-area leaders argued the cash-strapped city and county can’t afford such sizeable contributions. The city increased its sales tax by 2% and the county doubled its sales tax this year as part of a plan to avoid bankruptcy and deep cuts to services.
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. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said the full chamber will vote Tuesday. He called the new plan a “win-win-win” for the Brewers, local leaders and the state.
Assembly approval would send the bill to the state Senate, which could make more changes. Brian Radday, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the changes.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers supports the revised plan, his spokesperson, Britt Cudaback, said in an email to The Associated Press. She called the proposal “a compromise that ensures the Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball remain in Wisconsin for future generations.”
A spokesperson for the Brewers had no immediate comment.
___
Associated Press reporter Scott Bauer contributed to this report.
veryGood! (67499)
Related
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Blake Lively Crashes Ryan Reynolds’ Interview in the Most Hilarious Way
- Paula Radcliffe sorry for wishing convicted rapist 'best of luck' at Olympics
- Texas deaths from Hurricane Beryl climb to at least 36, including more who lost power in heat
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Violent crime rates in American cities largely fall back to pre-pandemic levels, new report shows
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Let Me Spell It Out
- Zendaya's Wet Look at 2024 Paris Olympics Pre-Party Takes Home the Gold
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- West Virginia official quits over conflict of interest allegations; interim chief named
Ranking
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Still no return date for Starliner as Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remain in space
- Ronda Rousey Is Pregnant, Expecting Another Baby With Husband Travis Browne
- Billy Ray Cyrus says he was at his 'wit's end' amid leaked audio berating Firerose, Tish
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- North Carolina review say nonprofit led by lieutenant governor’s wife ‘seriously deficient’
- Thousands watch Chincoteague wild ponies complete 99th annual swim in Virginia
- CrowdStrike shares details on cause of global tech outage
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
West Virginia official quits over conflict of interest allegations; interim chief named
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ dominates at Comic-Con ahead of panel with Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman
Woman pronounced dead, man airlifted after house explodes in upstate New York
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Hawaii businessman to forfeit more than $20 million in assets after conviction, jury rules
Kamala Harris' first campaign ad features Beyoncé's song 'Freedom': 'We choose freedom'
Kamala Harris: A Baptist with a Jewish husband and a faith that traces back to MLK and Gandhi