Help the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families address racial disparities

The Black Child Development Institute needs your help. You might not know it, but you can help children in need today by filling out a short survey by the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. In light of the fact that Wisconsin was recently named the worst state in the nation to raise a black child, this survey may provide critical insight for key players in the policy community to help our babies. The survey includes open ended questions to give you plenty of space to share your answers. Don't worry about your grammar. The people at WCCF are more interested in your ideas than your spelling. Please click here to join the Black Child Development Institute in taking the survey today. Your idea may just be one that changes the life of a child in need.

Influential African Americans in Wisconsin

I am deeply honored to share with you that I have been added to a list of the most influential African Americans in Wisconsin. This list celebrates prominent African American leaders in the community, civil service, and business sectors that have come together to achieve great things for our state. These achievements are recognized in an effort to show that discrimination, inequality, and racism can be transcended--that people of color are vitally important to Wisconsin. I am grateful to be included on this list of influential individuals. As just the second African American woman to serve in the Senate, I know firsthand just how important it is to celebrate the success of our community.

Resolutions in the Senate this month

The Senate will meet next Tuesday, October 20^th when at least two of my resolutions will be up for consideration. Senate Joint Resolution 21, one of my resolutions, would name November 2015 diabetes awareness month. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, diabetes affects 475,000 adults and 4,500 children and adolescents in Wisconsin. Along with increasing the risk of diabetes-related complications, diabetes is economically very costly. Diabetes costs $6.15 billion annually due to health care costs and loss of productivity in Wisconsin. Greater awareness of diabetes promotes healthier living, preventative measures, and support for those living with the condition.

Another of my resolutions up for vote honors the life and contributions of former Secretary of Administration and Chairman of the BMO Harris Bradley Center, Marc Marotta. A former Marquette University graduate and basketball star, Mr. Marotta returned to give back to Milwaukee after finishing his education. Besides being a partner and business lawyer with Foley & Lardner, he enriched our community by serving on the boards for Summerfest, Milwaukee World Festival, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. Mr. Marotta will be greatly missed by Milwaukee and Wisconsin as a whole. My resolution stands as a testament to his memory.

The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

Governor Walker is back and is wasting no time making dangerous changes to our elections. In the past weeks, Walker and the Republican leadership pushed to dismantle and politicize the Government Accountability Board by splitting it into two commissions run by partisan political appointees. It is no accident that this move comes after the John Doe investigation against Governor Walker. And, as if that isn't enough, Republicans also introduced a bill to double campaign donation limits, effectively welcoming corporations and the wealthy to buy elections at the expense of our voices. This is just another measure to secure Republican control of the Legislature. For example, in 2012 under redistricting lines drawn by Republicans, Assembly Democrats secured about 174,000 more votes than Assembly Republicans. Yet, Republicans won 60 seats to the Democrats’ 39. I understand not everyone agrees on politics but we can all agree that democracy only works if our voices are heard. Removing accountability and funding restrictions endangers our democracy and jeopardizes the integrity of our elections.

Community Events:

 Quote of the Week:

 "What you do in life for the community, for others, is what you're all about. You sort of do God's work through what you do for others." -Marc Marotta

This is an official government communication from Sen. Lena C. Taylor. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, click here to send me an email to unsubscribe.