Assembly passes Lambeau Field tax return bill

MADISON — The Wisconsin Assembly has approved a bill that would return $17 million in excess Lambeau Field taxes to Brown County taxpayers and local government.

The bill passed Tuesday, October 27th calls for 25 percent of the money to go to Brown County. The county's municipalities would use the rest to lower property taxes, debt relief or for economic development.

The Assembly approved the bill 89-2. The Senate passed it in September and it now goes to Governor Scott Walker.

A half-cent sales tax went into effect in January 2001 in Brown County to help pay for stadium upgrades. The tax paid for $160 million in borrowing for the $295 million renovation. The tax technically ended this spring but retailers could keep collecting it until September, resulting in $17.6 million in excess taxes.