Republican majority leader says votes will be there to pass arena funding plan in Assembly

MADISON — A Republican leader in the Wisconsin Assembly says the votes will be there to pass a bill approving a $500 million financing plan for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena.

Republican Majority Leader Jim Steineke said Monday that there are at least 30 Republican votes for the plan and he expects about 15 Democrats to support it. He says because about a dozen lawmakers will be absent, the bill will only need about 45 votes to pass.

If approved, the plan would then go to Gov. Scott Walker for his signature. The Senate passed it on a bipartisan 21-10 vote on July 15.

Under the proposal, half of the $500 million cost would initially be paid by taxpayers. The other $250 million would come from current and former Bucks owners.