The Wisconsin state Senate on Tuesday approved a funding package for future improvements to American Family Field, a commitment sought by the Milwaukee Brewers in order for the team to agree to extend its lease at the stadium beyond 2030.
The Senate passed a pair of bills today for the stadium funding, both by 19-14 and with bipartisan support.
Later in the day the state Assembly, which had earlier approved its version of the stadium funding package, also approved the amended version of the funding package approved by the Senate.
That sends the package to Gov. Tony Evers for final approval, and he announced Tuesday that he would sign it into law.
“This is a great day for Wisconsin,” Evers said. “For decades, the Brewers have been a cherished part of our state’s heritage and an essential part of Milwaukee’s and our state’s economic success. And after months of hard work, I’m proud to say we’re going to be keeping the Brewers in Milwaukee, supporting thousands of family-supporting jobs—including union jobs—and ensuring a new generation of Wisconsinites can grow up cheering for the home team just like countless others before them. As a lifelong Brewers fan, I always believed that we could work together to find common ground and build bipartisan support to keep this team and critical economic driver right here in Wisconsin, and today, that’s exactly what we did.”
Under the amended plan approved by the state Senate, the state would provide $386.5 million for future American Family Field upgrades and repairs, the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County will provide a combined $135 million and the Brewers would provide $110 million. The state, city and county will make their contributions with annual installments through 2050, according to the Associated Press.
Amendments by the state Senate also include ticket and luxury suite surcharges for non-baseball events at the stadium, which would generate about $20.7 million, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Associated Press reported.
“This vote by a bipartisan majority of the state Senate is a historic moment, not only allowing the Stadium District to meet its obligations to maintain the ballpark but paving the way for the Brewers to remain in Wisconsin for the next generation,” said Rick Schlesinger, president of business operations for the Brewers. “We appreciate the leadership in the Legislature and among local officials, and beginning with that of Gov. Evers, as we worked with all stakeholders to help build support for a creative solution that would protect taxpayers. The Brewers will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders in the days and weeks ahead, as policymakers work on the final steps to put legislation on the desk of Gov. Evers. As the Brewers landlord, the Stadium District needs resources to honor its current lease agreement with its tenant. Today’s bipartisan vote creates a path to provide those resources.”
“This bipartisan legislation is a win for Wisconsin,” said Omar Shaikh, a Milwaukee restaurateur and developer who is also chairman of the Home Crew Coalition group that is lobbying in support of taxpayer funding for stadium improvements. “Countless restaurants, hotels, and bars in Milwaukee depend on the team to survive. The team’s massive economic impact creates thousands of family-supporting jobs that fuel our local economy. Today’s vote shows that Wisconsin’s government can work together to get things done.”
“The Legislature’s action today advances my goals of keeping the Brewers in Milwaukee and protecting local taxpayers,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “With this agreement, the local contribution comes exclusively from the administrative fee associated with the local sales tax. What that means is no negative impacts will be felt in future city budgets and no loss of shared revenue as a result of the stadium deal. I want to thank the Governor, Assembly and Senate leaders, and all who have thoughtfully examined the options and listened carefully to local concerns. What legislators have achieved is a bipartisan solution that keeps Major League Baseball in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future. I am grateful to all the partners who worked toward a positive outcome including organized labor and business leaders. Milwaukee is a big-league city. Our sports teams add life to our city; they create jobs, and they raise Milwaukee’s profile around the country and around the world. Today’s actions affirm that.”
“The Milwaukee Brewers are an important asset for our community. Through negotiations with our partners at the State of Wisconsin, I am pleased that both chambers of the Wisconsin State Legislature have approved bipartisan legislation to keep the Brewers in Milwaukee through 2050,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said. “But this bill does more than just that. I was proud to negotiate additional revenue flexibility for Milwaukee County in this bipartisan bill, which will generate an estimated $239 million in additional revenue flexibility, placing us in a significantly more advantageous fiscal position. Let me be clear: With this legislation, Milwaukee County will have more local dollars available to address local priorities, while keeping the Brewers in Wisconsin for decades without any additional impact on local taxpayers. I appreciate the leadership of Gov. Evers, Speaker (Robin) Vos, Majority Leader (Devin) LeMahieu, Minority Leaders (Melissa) Agard and (Greta) Neubauer, and our partners in the Wisconsin State Legislature for pushing this effort forward. Together, we created 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 the governor signing this bill into law.”
