Supervisor Steve F. Taylor Stands Firm Against County Funds for American Family Field
MILWAUKEE — County Supervisor Steve F. Taylor today reiterated his opposition to burdening Milwaukee County taxpayers with the cost of improvements to American Family Field. This stance comes in light of the recent proposal by County Executive David Crowley that Wisconsin Act 12 be changed to allow “more financial flexibility” on the part of Milwaukee County to fund stadium repairs.
Supervisor Taylor made the following statement:
“Once again, I’m being forced to play defense against irresponsible use of taxpayer money. The idea of dipping into the county coffers for the sake of American Family Field improvements is a déjà vu we could all do without. It hasn’t even been five years since the stadium tax ended, and now we’re supposed to ask residents to open their pockets and pay even more? No way.
There has been a total lack of transparency from the County Executive on this ‘local contribution’ proposal, with no disclosure whatsoever in the leadup to the Board’s vote on increasing the county sales tax. It feels like a bait and switch to sell county residents on the idea of using new tax revenue to help deal with $1 billion in deferred maintenance and cover state-mandated services — only to turn around after the increase has passed and suggest footing the bill for the Brewers.”
The five-county stadium tax — initially introduced to fund the construction of Miller Park — expired in 2020 after 24 years, finally alleviating taxpayers from this financial obligation. Now, the proposal to shift the burden once again onto the shoulders of hardworking Milwaukee County residents has raised concerns among citizens and public officials alike.
On May 25, 2023, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Taylor, opposing the use of county tax revenue for long-term renovations at American Family Field. The resolution was signed by County Executive Crowley.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Miller Park Stadium Tax
- MKE County: Brewers Ballpark Subsidy Stings County Budget - Graham Kilmer - Jul 28th, 2024
- Governor Signs Brewers Subsidy Agreement At American Family Field - Evan Casey - Dec 5th, 2023
- Gov. Evers Signs Bills to Keep Milwaukee Brewers, Major League Baseball in Wisconsin Through 2050 - Gov. Tony Evers - Dec 5th, 2023
- Council, Mayor Bickered On Brewers Deal - Jeramey Jannene - Nov 29th, 2023
- Brewers Stadium Deal Passes the Legislature - Shawn Johnson - Nov 14th, 2023
- County Executive David Crowley’s Statement on Bipartisan Bill to Keep Brewers in Milwaukee - County Executive David Crowley - Nov 14th, 2023
- Gov. Evers to Sign Bipartisan Plan to Keep Milwaukee Brewers, Major League Baseball in Wisconsin Through 2050 - Gov. Tony Evers - Nov 14th, 2023
- A swing, a miss, and an errant bat in the stands - State Sen. Chris Larson - Nov 14th, 2023
- Supervisor Burgelis Responds to State Senate Vote on Brewers Stadium Funding - Sup. Peter Burgelis - Nov 14th, 2023
- Murphy’s Law: Civic Blackmail Works For Brewers Again - Bruce Murphy - Nov 14th, 2023
Read more about Miller Park Stadium Tax here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Sup. Steve F. Taylor
Pigs must be flying because I actually agree with Steve Taylor on something. There is simply no appetite to bankroll the Attanasio and the Brewers at this point. The Lasry Family experience of having their investment essentially capitalized by public funding for the arena – and making out like bandits in less than a decade -has undercut any rationale for this. But perhaps Attanasio wants to cut the public in for an equity share of the team?
Very few people from Milwaukee even attend these games or can afford to take their families to them!!! I understand there will be a threat to take the Brewers elsewhere, and it does employ a lot of people, but we cannot continue to bail out these Million/Billionaires! Why wasn’t this part of the AmFam naming deal? Their long range plan is always to get bailed out. Great business plan!