Scott Walker wants to give $250 million welfare check to his down-and-out billionaire pal's NBA team

After months of debate and a last-minute flurry of "backroom talks," the Wisconsin Senate has passed a bill to give $250 million in public subsidies to get the Milwaukee Bucks a new arena—at an eventual public cost of $400 million, thanks to interest. Deadspin's Kevin Draper provides some important context:

Just a few days ago, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed a state budget that includes cuts of $250 million to the University of Wisconsin system, among other cuts to public education funding. Marc Lasry, a Bucks co-owner, is estimated by Forbes to be worth $1.87 billion, while co-owner Wesley Edens was worth $2.5 billion in 2007 before suffering a downturn (though not so big of one to prevent him from owning an NBA team) in the Great Recession. Together, they will pay just $150 million towards the arena.

The bill goes now to the state Assembly, which is also controlled by Republicans and likely to pass it. Gov. Scott Walker's support is in no question—he's been campaigning hard to fund the Bucks' arena.