WISCO OFFICIALS ASK FOR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT FROM BREWERS

     WI Gov. Tommy Thompson said yesterday that the state,
Milwaukee County and the city of Milwaukee have "asked the
Brewers to agree to stay in Milwaukee for 30 years" if a new
stadium is built as part of a deal pending approval by the team,
according to Rinard & Haudricourt of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL.  The deal is said to be "controversial," but Thompson
declined to describe why, saying that "if he did it probably
would set back negotiations."  However, the JOURNAL SENTINEL
believes the issue of whether local or regional taxes are
necessary could be one "aspect of controversy."  Brewers VP
Laurel Prieb said the length of the lease was "one of the
unresolved issues" in reaching an agreement.  However, he does
not consider the length of the lease to be a "major sticking
point, and certainly not a deal buster" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 7/27).