Wisconsin Senate approves Brewers stadium spending package, with some cuts

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The Wisconsin state Senate narrowly approved a plan Tuesday to spend nearly half a billion dollars to help the Milwaukee Brewers repair their stadium over the next three decades, brushing aside arguments that the team has more than enough money and doesn't deserve such a sizable government subsidy.

The chamber approved the legislation on a 19-14 vote, sending it to the Assembly for a floor vote later Tuesday. Speaker Robin Vos has signaled his support for the proposal.

Assembly passage would put the bill in front of Gov. Tony Evers, who can sign it into law or veto it. Evers' spokesperson, Britt Cudaback, said Monday that the governor supports the plan.

WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY GREENLIGHTS $545M BREWERS STADIUM OVERHAUL

Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger called the Senate vote "historic."

"The Brewers require a premier ballpark to drive ticket sales and continue to field competitive teams — making maintenance of the ballpark all the more critical," he said in a statement.

The Brewers say 22-year-old American Family Field needs extensive repairs. The stadium's glass outfield doors, seats and concourses need replacing, the stadium's luxury suites and video scoreboard need upgrades and the stadium's signature retractable roof, fire suppression systems, parking lots, elevators and escalators need work, according to the team.

Brewers officials initially said the team might leave Milwaukee if they didn't get public dollars for repairs. Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers' president of business operations, softened the team's stance last month, saying the Brewers want to remain in the city "for the next generation." But the prospect of