Bucks spent most lobbying Wisconsin lawmakers through June

Aug 21, 2015 - 5:57 PM MADISON, Wis. (AP) The Milwaukee Bucks spent more money lobbying the Wisconsin Legislature than any other organization during the first half of the year, as the NBA team was pushing for approval of a new basketball arena.

A report released Friday by the state elections board, which oversees lobbying, showed the Bucks spent just over $482,000 on lobbying through June. The next highest was the Wisconsin Hospital Association at nearly $379,000.

The Bucks' lobbying paid off. The Legislature, on bipartisan votes, ultimately approved spending $250 million in taxpayer money on a new stadium for the team. Gov. Scott Walker signed the measure into law this month.

The amount spent by the Bucks doesn't include lobbying on the arena bill in July, when it passed both houses. Those figures will be reported in January.