Wisconsin Assembly Approves Milwaukee Bucks Arena Deal

The Wisconsin Assembly speaker says he’s confident that the state’s funding package for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena will pass when his chamber takes it up today.

If approved Tuesday without any changes, the plan would then go to Gov. Scott Walker for his signature. The deal is also still subject to approval by the Milwaukee Common Council.

The bill includes bonding, tax incremental financing, extensions of Milwaukee travel-related taxes, and a $2 surcharge on all tickets at the new arena. Current and former Bucks owners are contributing another $250 million to the arena plan.

Bucks President Peter Feigin told the Legislature’s budget committee earlier this month that if construction on a new arena didn’t begin this year, the National Basketball Association would move the team, possibly to Las Vegas or Seattle.

The bill will need Republic and Democratic support to pass the Assembly, because not all Republicans – members of the majority party – support it. a few Democrats want it altered.

The bill passed the state senate last week by a 21-10 vote.

Republican Robin Vos informed the Journal Sentinel he thinks the state meeting will move the measure in a vote on Tuesday.