Wisconsin GOP proposes ticket fee, smaller state contribution to Brewers stadium repair plan
Republicans in the Wisconsin state Senate are proposing tweaks to their plan to help fund repairs at the Milwaukee Brewers stadium that would scale back the state's contribution and impose a surcharge on non-baseball event tickets
MADISON, Wis. — Republicans in the Wisconsin state Senate proposed tweaks Tuesday to their plan to help fund repairs to the Milwaukee Brewers stadium that would scale back the state's contribution by about $30 million and impose a surcharge on tickets to non-baseball events.
The Legislature's finance committee was set to vote on the changes Wednesday. Approval could set up a floor vote in the Senate as early as next week.
The Brewers contend that their 22-year-old stadium, American Family Field, needs extensive repairs. The team argues that the stadium's glass outfield doors, seats and concourses should be replaced and that luxury suites and the video scoreboard need upgrades. The stadium's signature retractable roof, fire suppression systems, parking lots, elevators and escalators need work as well, according to the team.
During early discussions of the plan Brewers officials hinted they might leave Milwaukee if they didn't get public dollars for the repairs. Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers' president of business operations, appeared to walk that back at a Senate hearing last month, saying the team wants to remain in the city “for the next generation.”
The state Assembly last month approved a plan that calls for the state to contribute $411.5 million and the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to contribute a combined $135 million. The Brewers would contribute $100 million to repairs and extend their lease at the stadium through 2050 in exchange for the public funds. The lease extension would
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