So a $400 billion transfer from the taxpayers to billionaires. Business as usual for the party of the little guy. Just imagine what he’d do as president. Sell off the national parks to provide tax relief to billionaires. Eliminate the EPA and FDA to provide tax relief to billionaires. Cut the already miniscule spending on infrastructure to provide tax relief to billionaires.

No wonder he’s the GOP’s golden boy.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed legislation Wednesday that commits hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer money to a new arena for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, a move that could complicate the Republican presidential candidate’s efforts to paint himself as the most ardent small-government conservative in a crowded field.

Walker and state GOP leaders pushed the arena plan for months, especially as the team’s owners threatened to move the Bucks to a new market. The deal requires the team’s current and former owners to cover half of the arena’s $500 million projected cost, while taxpayers will cover the rest — with interest, the public cost could rise to as much as $400 million. But at the signing ceremony Wednesday, Walker repeated claims that the arena would return $3 for every $1 invested into the project.

“We think this is a good, solid move, as good stewards of the taxpayer’s money,” Walker said. “I think anybody investing in the world of small business would say that’s a good return on investment.”

More: Scott Walker Signs Arena Deal, Handing $400 Million to Billionaire NBA Owners