MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin state Senate has approved a public financing deal for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena. Republicans crafted a bill that would devote $250 million in public dollars to the project. GOP leaders controls the Senate 19-14 but didn’t have enough support to get to 17 votes, forcing them to ask minority Democrats to join them. The parties brokered a deal Wednesday afternoon that includes a $2 ticket surcharge and eliminates provisions requiring the state to offset a $4 million annual contribution to the stadium by collecting Milwaukee County’s past due debt. The Senate quickly convened after the deal was struck and passed the deal 21-10. The bill now goes to the state Assembly.
