Earlier today the State Assembly passed the $250 million bill providing taxpayer funding for half the cost of a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks. The Assembly vote was 52-34, with bipartisan support (and bipartisan opposition) to the bill.
Here’s a breakdown of how Milwaukee’s Democratic Assembly delegation voted on the Bucks arena bill:
Voted Against
David Bowen
Jonathan Brostoff
Voted For
Mandela Barnes
Evan Goyke
Christine Sinicki
Josh Zepnick
Jocasta Zamarripa
Leon Young
LaTonya Johnson
Fred Kessler
Didn’t Vote
Daniel Riemer
As a point of clarification, Daniel Riemer did not vote because he’s on vacation.
So here’s your chance to share your opinion. Is this a good deal for Wisconsin’s taxpayers, or do you think it’s a bum deal?
I’d say it’s a good deal for Milwaukee and Milwaukee County – not perfect but good, with the potential to be great. I am not thrilled that I live probably 5 miles away from the site – an area with maximum benefit of the project – yet neither of my representatives in Madison (Carpenter, Reimer) voted to support it.
Paul,
Which part of the welfare for billionaires did you like best? Was it when we loaned them money to buy up all the Park East land that Abele wouldn’t give them for a $1?
” Is Bucks Arena a Done Deal?
The way the team’s owners are buying up downtown land, they’re clearly certain the deal will pass. ”
http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2015/07/06/plats-and-parcels-is-bucks-arena-a-done-deal/
“Milwaukee Bucks owners’ $1 Park East land buy supported by developers”
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/real_estate/2015/06/milwaukeebucks-owners-1-park-east-land-buy.html
Or was it when we gave them all that even though, and NBA owners couldn’t bribe even one public official in one city in the world to go on the record about wanting an NBA franchise.
Or is it those tax breaks that they get that will cannibalize other bars and restaurants? See Water Street. http://onmilwaukee.com/bars/articles/waterstreetbarguide.html
I agree keeping the Bucks is good for Milwaukee, but Abele had plenty of leverage to get a much better deal.
Typical leftys, voting millions for billionaires just as Obama has done
and Hillary too.
Funny WCD makes us laugh.
I would love to see the state draw a line under tax subsidies to all property development deals that don’t show the benefit of strong, good-paying, permanent job growth – which means most would have to find private funding. I understand the argument that major league sports can be a piece of the puzzle in attracting new investment and talent. My question is what is the State doing to build out the rest of the puzzle? Are we investing in modern forms of transportation? How about statewide, high-speed communications? Are we incubating the next Epic? Are ratings for our schools and post-secondary institutions on the rise? Are we leaders on issues young talent and their bosses care about such as the environment, multiculturalism, collectively tackling our biggest challenges? Given we all know the answers are “no”, what impact can we possibly expect just from a basketball arena?
Milwaukee has huge problems: bad roads, high crime, kids cannot read, MPS worst in country, abandoned houses, Milwaukee county govt. is big joke, human trafficking, worst poverty in country, 57% youth unemployment. corruption, high taxes!!!W!hat are they talking about the last 6 months: trolley and Arena. They are nuts. The white, male, liberal, racists that run the city, keep the blacks and hispanics in their place as long as they keep voting right. Then they want the rest of us to pay for their toys.
Sure lefties, tell me about who is pandering to the billionaires but Obama, hillary and eh rest. All they are is hot air. Working class has been badly hurt by Obama and co. Doyle ruined wisconsin for decade.
Not one above mentioned Milwaukee problem is based in fact. Show me the unbiased evidence that makes us the worst schools and the worst poverty in the country. The rest… bad roads, high crime, kids cannot read, abandoned houses, human trafficking, corruption and high taxes are the same problems facing a whole lot of big Republican run cities as well. Some are societal issues and not much either party can do about them. What the hell does this have to do with the arena deal? Really, you start out with the “typical lefties” crap at 9:44 pm and then at 7:15 am the next morning, after having a chance to sleep on it, all you could come up with is “The Left, Hillary, obama led the way again”… seriously show me how the left championed this deal and how they are responsible for out voting the republican majority in Madison to get the deal done. AND how can any NON-Wisconsin politician, democrat or republican, be held accountable for what happens in our state especially in relation to this deal. Your statements are the most rhetorical cow splat I’ve heard in a long time and remind me of some other demographically brainwashed/challenged individuals. So, let me guess, you probably live in Washington County (speaking of cow splat) and seldom, if ever, venture into Milwaukee. Humor me… Am I right?
I did not enter the debate to any degree over the bucks deal.
I would have preferred to have a regional sales tax fund the measure as opposed to the way this was constructed
As I noted on FB there was no way this deal was not to pass and with bi-partisan votes—so there was no surprise at the outcome
But at the end of the day—as much as I think sports teams should fund their own way—the economics of this is good for Milwaukee and thus the state.
My tax dollars shouldn’t be used to subsidize big oil nor should it be used to fund professional sports. If I have to pay in then I should share the payouts. Isn’t that how investments are supposed to work? More importantly, has anyone been to a Bucks game lately… Boring, low budget and only sold out if (rarely) they make the post season. What we really need is a NHL franchise. This is after all a hockey state.
The Left, Hillary, obama led the way again, handing out millions to billionaires and screwing the working folks.
Remind me again how many Republicans voted for the Bucks arena deal?
So what, the Dems a supposed to be for the people and they led this fight. Left is always lecturing everyone about the 1% when they get more money from Soros and guys all the time.
I will gladly remind you. 35 Republicans (yes 35- the majority) and 17 Democrats voted FOR public funding of the a bucks arena.
It is really hard to digest the conservative Wisconsin message when it’s foundation is built on psycho-babble. I would swear the Bucks deal was a state issue. How the hell does ones brain make the leap to Obama and Clinton. To even try to imply that only Democrats “hand out money” is borderline insanity. Focus… Focus… Focus…
Don’t confuse dementia with psycho-babble. Bobby has already informed us of his age and 50 years with the WIConDigress, now retired for several years already. Perhaps Walker/ALEC will come up with a bill to restrict internet use. Bobby Donhal prefers Bobby, it reminded him of fond relationships with particular adults in his past.
On a side note, Rep. Andy Jorgensen (who is not in the Milwaukee area, but is a Democrat) voted for the deal and explained he did so after feedback from 2/3rd of respondents he heard from in his district said they were in favor of the deal.
I think the bottom line is that the numbers work in favor of this deal. I am personally not crazy about it. I hate corporate welfare, but at the same time I acknowledge that area of Milwaukee is badly in need of redevelopment.
I wish Walker would have just taken up the Menominee tribe on their offer, but of course that would have made too much sense.
Also, it’s kind of pathetic and sad that the expected property owner tax “savings” over the next two years probably won’t even cover the arena fee surcharge on Bucks tickets at the new arena.
This deal is tragic.
The city will get a “sugar high” but deal with it fundamental economic problems. A few folks will make a lot of dough, and a bunch of people will get low-wage jobs.
Milwaukee used to make things. Now it’s bread and circuses.
A WEAU-TV in Chippewa Valley consumer poll resulted in 72% voting no and 24% voting yes for the new arena legislation. So once again, the parsimonious, miserly Wisconsin voter disappoints.
This is a can’t lose bet. If he Bucks don’t pay off for the arena debt. Someone will step into this money making monopoly, buy out the Bucks and make it work.
What has gone wrong in this once profusely considerate state?
Why would creating more low-paid service jobs in Milwaukee using tax dollars be enthusiastically received in Chippewa Falls? Like everyone else in this State, they’d probably prefer a sustainable economic growth plan, which could also include an arena. Your poll could suggest the opposite – that finally voters are rejecting worthless neo-liberal promises.
Christian D. Boyd, a local pastor, posted on face book (today) “Senator Ron Johnson just told our youth mission group that if you are poor move out of the state of Wisconsin”. Johnson also told one of the youth, when asked how to help eliminate housing inequality “move to North Korea”. Give it a day or two and this will be all over the “main stream” media. Well, that is if Johnson allowed it to be taped. Heard he’s kind of camera and microphone shy lately. Gee, I wonder why?
So much for WCD’s theory.