Walker to sign Bucks arena bill next week

Aug 5, 2015 - 6:12 PM MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker plans to sign a bill providing $250 million in taxpayer money to pay for a new Milwaukee Bucks stadium next week.

Walker's office sent an invitation to lawmakers and others saying he plans to sign the bill Aug. 12 at State Fair Park outside Milwaukee.

The Legislature passed the arena bill on bipartisan votes in both the Senate and Assembly after team leaders threatened to leave Wisconsin if the deal did not get done.

Opponents argued that no taxpayer money should go toward an arena for a privately owned team. Current and former owners are putting $250 million toward the arena, but the taxpayer portion will grow to $400 million with interest.

Walker, a Republican presidential candidate, had been pushing for an arena deal for months.