MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) – Milwaukee’s business community has unveiled a new poll that contradicts previous heavy opposition to public funding for a new Bucks’ basketball arena.
The Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce commissioned the poll of 600 likely Wisconsin voters. It showed that 67 percent support the new arena, once the facts are explained. 64 percent supported Senate GOP leader Scott Fitzgerald’s alternative to borrow $150 million from the state Public Lands board, thus having the state borrow from itself and not Wall Street.
64 percent also said it’s better for the Bucks not to leave Wisconsin. The business poll made it clear that if the Bucks do leave, Milwaukee would lose out on $730 million in higher revenues over 30 years — while having to pay $100 million to repair the BMO Harris Bradley Center so others could use it.
Earlier this month, a Marquette Law School poll showed that 79 percent of statewide voters were opposed to state borrowing.
The business group said the Marquette question was a part of other unpopular state budget proposals — like cuts in UW and public school aid. Also, the commerce group said the Marquette poll focused on only one item — the borrowing — with no questions about possible economic benefits, or a chance that the NBA would buy the Bucks and move them if a new arena doesn’t open by mid-2017.
That deadline spurred talks last week between the Bucks and Milwaukee and state officials on getting a funding proposal set. Those talks resume this week.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
