Bucks, legislators meet in Madison; no arena funding deal reached

There is no deal yet when it comes to public financing for a new Bucks arena.

Milwaukee city and county officials, Bucks officials, and state lawmakers met Wednesday for about an hour and a half in Madison.

Lawmakers we spoke with say they are encouraged by the progress, but more work still needs to be done.

\"Trying to get the county [of Milwaukee], the city [of Milwaukee], and the state in the right place is basically what we're doing but it was a good discussion.\" said Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau).

In a meeting that brought; Republican leaders, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, and the Bucks team president to the table, a deal to fund a new Bucks arena did not get done Wednesday.

Barrett explained, \"We're still working, we're still working. We're taking a little break here, and we're still working.\"

\"Look, I'll drive out to Madison every day. I'll model any scenario anybody has and I think we all share that commitment. We have to get this done, and we will.\" said Abele.

Tuesday, Bucks Team President Peter Feigin reportedly gave a 10-day window to get a deal done, then later clarified that wasn't the case through a team spokesman, Wednesday after the meeting; he said all sides seem to be on the same page.

\"This was very collaborative, very forward. We're getting together tomorrow, the Bucks are pleased. I think everyone in the room is very positive.\" he said.

Republican leaders say the framework for the city and county to take out a loan from the state still seems to be in place, and has picked up support from other legislators in Madison. Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) told CBS 58, “It's a win-win. It's money that already exists, it's a lending process that we can even fluctuate the interest, and the interest goes to the schools.”

There's no time set for Thursday's meeting.