School Threats
This week, we are faced once again with several reminders in the face of the growing public health crisis of gun violence:
1. Our first responders see danger and run toward it, and for this we are deeply grateful. My heart and my gratitude is with those who responded to yesterday’s dangers.
2. Guns are far too easily finding their way into the hands of children.
3. Our children are losing faith that the adults in the room are going to do what it takes to end this epidemic.
People are scared. People are angry. And people have every right to feel scared and angry. Our children are looking to their elected officials to do something. Their parents are looking to our elected officials to do something. And where are we? Where is the leadership the people seek?
I ran for office stating very clearly my intent to fight against gun violence, and the trauma that accompanies this public health crisis. I have had many conversation about the role of trauma as part of this public health crisis. This is important, because trauma begets trauma -- we need to deal with the trauma as soon as possible in order to stop the cycle.
I am deeply grieved that throughout nearly a year in office, the Republican leadership has blocked meaningful conversation about solutions. I remain intent to reject the threats of special interests, and fight for the future our children deserve.
A bipartisan, practical solution to help reduce gun violence is the sales tax exemption for gun safes. I’d like to see this bill voted on in January. Read the bill here.
Go BIG for Small Business
On Wednesday, myself and State Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) introduced a bill to create an online portal for Wisconsinites to access information related to starting, maintaining, and growing a small business.
This website is aimed to be a “one-stop shop” for anyone in Wisconsin who has an interest in creating a new business, and for current business owners who want a more streamlined process with state agencies.
As a small business owner, and from my conversations in the community about the difficulties small business owners face, I understand what it takes to start and run your own business from the ground up. Right now, the state has different resources to make it easier for business owners, but the information is spread out. This bill creates a one-stop shop for all the information a business owner needs. Let's go big for small business!
Read my full statement here and the bill here.
Forward Wisconsin - Fair Maps
I am excited that yesterday we are announced the next project of Forward Wisconsin -- Fair Maps.
Every ten years, new lines are drawn for legislative districts, known as redistricting. Redistricting will occur again in 2021. This session, I introduced a bipartisan bill with my colleagues that would take this power away from the politicians, and place the responsibility with a non-partisan service agency called the Legislative Reference Bureau. We are committed to nonpartisan redistricting reform, and will continue to advocate for fair and representative legislative maps.
72% of Wisconsinites and 50 counties agree -- Wisconsin needs Fair Maps. But for it to succeed, we need your voice. Forward Wisconsin is aimed at amplifying the voices of the majority of Wisconsinites who support Fair Maps for a Fair Wisconsin.
Find our toolkit and #Fight4FairMaps resources here! Find sample letters, op-eds, talking points, and more. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for social media updates.
The will of the people is the law of the land, and the voice of the people is the heart of our state. Every vote deserves equal value. Join us in the #Fight4FairMaps and we can move forward together.
Recent Community Events
Hunger Task Force Telethon
My fellow elected turkeys and I spent the afternoon last Wednesday covering the televised phone banks on WISN12 for Hunger Task Force.
Please remember this holiday season those are hungry, and those working hard to fill the gap. And may we find joy as we care for one another, together.
HEMAD 
Last week Monday, I began my day with State Rep. Jason Fields, Pastor Arnold Cifax, Milwaukee Police Department Sensitive crimes unit, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, UMOS, Supervisor Felesia Martin, Supervisor Willie Johnson, Rep. Haywood at the KICKOFF of the second annual HEMAD (Human trafficking Educators working with Men and boys To Stand Against the Demand) campaign.
HEMAD is asking men to take a stand against human trafficking. The campaign will run through December 28th. Human trafficking is a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise that exists in urban, suburban and rural areas – in every county in Wisconsin. This is a campaign to influence men to take a stand in order to lessen the demand for sex trafficking.
Last year, 3,000 men took the HEMAD pledge to work to end human trafficking. Organizers hope at least 6,000 men in Southeastern Wisconsin will take the pledge this year.
The HEMAD campaign is a program of Convergence Resource Center (CRC), a faith-based nonprofit providing trauma-informed care and education with an emphasis on helping survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives. Many of these human trafficking victims were lured into prostitution in their early teens – when they were in middle school or high school.
You can take the HEMAD pledge by visiting CRC’s website www.convergenceresource.org
Beyond Vision
That same day I zipped across Milwaukee to Beyond Vision to join my Milwaukee Delegation Democratic colleagues to tour their facilities, and meet their staff as well as some board members.
Beyond Vision is a Wisconsin organization with the sole mission of employing people who have vision loss, or blindness.
In Wisconsin, 70% of people coping with low or changing vision is unemployed. Beyond Vision seeks to reduce that unemployment rate and expand their offering of meaningful and sustainable jobs.
Some of the projects we saw today were for Harley Davidson, the US Federal Government (privacy screens for computers), and various other local companies.
I also learned that out of all State Reps, I have the second highest number of constituents employed by Beyond Vision.
Department of Transportation Meeting
On Monday night, the Department of Transportation held a meeting for elected officials in Wauwatosa to discuss the upcoming Zoo Interchange projects and how it impacts the area.
The DOT will be hosting a public meeting regarding this project for community members on Tuesday, December 10th in Wauwatosa. Click here for more information. Contact our office if you have any questions!
Adoption Day 
The Department of Children & Families invited me to “Adoption Day” at Milwaukee County Children’s Court, and as a member of the Speaker’s Task Force on Adoption, it was important for me to be there. I also enjoyed the opportunity to speak with judges.
