State Senate voting on Brewers funding bill,lawmakers express optimism after 11th hour negotiations

State Sen. Dan Feyen, (R-Fond du Lac) said Republicans will introduce an amendment to the Brewers funding bill that Feyen said will secure the bipartisan votes needed to pass.

Just before the session began at 8 a.m., Feyen said the amendment will restore Milwaukee and Milwaukee County’s appointees to what would be the new stadium district board and gradually increase a new ticket tax on non-game events to help bring down the state’s contribution to the overall deal.

Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 on WISN-TV 12’s ‘UPFRONT,’ both Feyen and Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard said the votes weren’t yet there to pass the bill as negotiations intensified throughout the weekend and into Monday.

Before the new amendment, the Senate plan included a state contribution of roughly $382-million through taxes collected on player salaries; $135-million would come from Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, and the Brewers would contribute an additional $110- million.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, both bills dealing with the Brewers stadium, AB 438 and AB 439, passed the State Senate by a vote of 14-9. The bills will now be sent back to the Assembly for consideration.