Wisconsin Assembly approves Milwaukee Bucks arena deal
By SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press
Jul 28, 2015 12:43 PM CDT
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, right, motions to Democratic Reps., from left: Peter Barca; JoCasta Zamarripa and Christine Sinicki at a news conference to announce a bill to pay for a new $500 million Milwaukee Bucks arena will pass on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Scott...   (Associated Press)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin state Assembly has passed a bill to have taxpayers pay $250 million to help pay for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena.

The bill passed on a bipartisan 52-34 vote Tuesday. The measure now goes to Gov. Scott Walker who has been working with lawmakers to reach a deal.

Under the agreement, current and former Bucks owners will pay $250 million toward the cost of the arena. The taxpayer portion will eventually grow to about $400 million over 20 years.

Supporters say the new arena will bring jobs to Milwaukee and help improve the economy of the state. They say a new arena will help the city and state continue to move forward.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd watched the debate from the Assembly gallery.