Wisconsin legislators are one step closer to passing a plan to spend more than $500 million in public money to help cover repairs to the Milwaukee Brewers' American Family Stadium.
The package passed the state Assembly 69-27 and will now move on to a vote in the Senate slated for November.
ESPN reports that senators may attach amendments and send the measure back to the Assembly. Both houses must agree on the same version of the package and then send it to Gov. Tony Evers for his signature.
"We've got to get it done," Evers told reporters before the vote. "I'm ready to support it as is."
The Brewers contend that the stadium's grass needs repair, as well as upgrades and repairs to the stadium's roof, fire suppression systems, parking lots, elevators, luxury suites and video scoreboard.
The funding plan calls for the state to contribute $411 million and the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to contribute a combined $135 million. The Brewers have committed $100 million to the repairs and extend their lease at the stadium through 2050 in exchange for public money.
Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers president of business operations, said the Assembly vote shows the package has momentum.
"Today's bipartisan vote creates a path to provide ... resources needed to help keep Major League Baseball in Milwaukee for the next generation," he said.
American Family Field opened in 2001 as Miller Park, replacing aging County Stadium. Construction cost about $392 million and was funded largely through a 0.1% sales tax imposed in Milwaukee County and four surrounding counties.
