George Petak (1996)
MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued a statement on Tuesday, Dec. 24 on the passing of former Wisconsin State Sen. George Petak.
In the 1990s, then-State Sen. Petak of Racine cast the deciding vote to fund the construction of Miller Park. It was a reversal of what he had promised. Racine County voters did not want their county to be included in the additional .01% sales tax for the new stadium. A recall effort spawned – and Petak eventually lost that 1996 recall over that single vote. The stadium sales tax ended in 2020.
Model of Miller Park presented in 1996
Baseball fans, however, have held Petak in high regard because without his vote, there might not have been a new baseball stadium – and the Milwaukee Brewers may have left for another city.
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Gov. Evers issued the following statement on Petak's passing:
"Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in mourning the loss of Sen. Petak today. Sen. Petak was a man of faith, courage, and principle. He truly had a servant’s heart, always leading with empathy and integrity to give back and do more for others. Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in mourning the loss of Sen. Petak and offer our sincerest sympathies to his wife, kids, loved ones, and the many whose lives he touched."