Senator Agard Statement: Legislation to Keep the Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin Passes State Senate

MADISON – Today, a group of bipartisan lawmakers voted 19-14 to approve a public ballpark funding package designed to keep the Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin. The State Senate adopted an amendment to improve the legislation passed by the Assembly in October by (1) decreasing the overall state contribution; (2) increasing the Brewers’ contribution; (3) adding local representation to the Stadium District Board; and (4) requiring a biennial audit of the Stadium District Board.

Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“When we work in a bipartisan manner, with stakeholders and communities of interest brought to the table, we can do great things for the State of Wisconsin. The legislation passed by the Senate today not only keeps our beloved Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin, but the Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates the state will see a net benefit of nearly $250 million from income tax revenue alone.

“The Milwaukee Brewers are more than just a professional sports team – they are a cornerstone of our community, a key tourism attraction, a partner to businesses across the state, a vital driver of our local and state economies, and an employer to thousands of our friends and neighbors, providing more than 1,000 good union jobs.

“Keeping the Brewers in Wisconsin is good for our state. I am proud to vote for this proposal and the needed renovations to the ballpark. But I need to make it clear, we do not have to choose between funding the stadium district and investing in other critical priorities. We can do both – let’s use this bipartisan work as the catalyst to support our University system, our public schools, our child care infrastructure, our state’s natural resources, and the everyday people that make Wisconsin a great place to live, work, and play.”

The amended bill now must be approved by the State Assembly before it can be signed into law by Governor Evers.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.