[OldDog]

Whether one agrees or disagrees with government financing of sports facilities, this was as bipartisan as it gets. Slate's senior business and economics correspondent (Democratic operative with a byline) seems to have missed that.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has taken the floor to start debate on the Bucks financing deal, saying the current package is better than the original proposal.

He said the deal amounts to state taxpayers contributing $3.5 million annually, while the state takes in $6.5 million in revenue. On top of that, local governments will cover the majority of the cost, the Rochester Republican said.

"It is cheaper for us to pass this bill," Vos said, "than to defeat it and let the team leave."

A steady stream of Dems are standing and speaking in support of the Bucks financing deal.

They also are repeatedly saying they had strong reservations about the original proposal but have since swing toward full support. Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee, was one of them.

"I could not justify spending millions of dollars on a sports arena," she said, "when in reality, the last budget we passed was the worst budget in the history of the state of Wisconsin."

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said it has become clear during discussions about the deal that it's a "total plus across the spectrum."

"When you analyze it, if nothing happens other than this great arena getting built," he said, "the taxpayers still win."

So far, no one has spoken in opposition to the public financing deal for the Bucks arena.

One after another, Dems and Republicans are standing in support, stressing it would cost the state much more if the team leaves and it would be a black eye for Milwaukee.

Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, spoke to those in the Assembly who might oppose the deal because they don't believe the public should subsidize a professional sports arena. He said as a CPA, the numbers just make sense.

"We've reached a point where if we do nothing," Kooyenga said, "we subsidize them to leave."

The Bucks financing deal has passed the Assembly on a 52-34 bipartisan vote.

Thirty-five Republicans and 17 Dems voted in favor, while 20 Republicans and 14 Dems voted against.

http://quorumcall.wispolitics.com/