Bad News Brewing for Taxpayers in Milwaukee

On Thursday, October 5^th, the Wisconsin State Legislature’s committee on state affairs held a public hearing for Assembly Bill’s 438 and 439, in relation to funding for the Milwaukee Brewers stadium. State legislators, community leaders, business interests and concerned citizens were all present to give their opinion on how to fund the proposed upgrades to American Family Field. Lawmakers and the public were most concerned with which governing entity is picking up the tab – Milwaukee city and county officials want to reduce their contribution as much as possible considering the messy fiscal situation they are in.

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) opposes using public funds to pay for professional sports teams’ new stadiums and renovations. TPA’s State Policy Manager, Hunter Hamberlin, was in attendance to deliver testimony against AB 438 and 439. Subsidizing privately owned professional sports teams is nothing more than corporate welfare.  Proposals to give taxpayer funds to sports franchises should be met with fervent resistance.

Watch TPA’s testimony below: