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Official Government
Communication
Week of March 26th - March 31st
Dear
Friend,
There is a
lot happening at the State Capitol and it is my hope that this email will
help you stay in touch with your government. As your Senator, I truly
believe in public service. If there is anything my office can do to
assist you, please feel free to contact us.
Here to
serve,
Sen. Lena
Taylor
4th
District
Corrections
Facility Visits
 This week,
I visited two correctional facilities: Green Bay and Columbia
Correctional Institutions.
Let’s make no bones about it, the way we
handle corrections in this state is frustrating. We are one of only a few
states that has a prison population that is increasing instead of going
down. Other states have implemented evidence-based corrections practices
that have resulted in less incarceration, increased rehabilitation,
reduced recidivism, and lower crime rates. We don’t do that in Wisconsin.
Instead we have Truth-in-Sentencing and an underfunded, back- logged
system.
As a result, my office averages 30
letters a week from incarcerated residents expressing serious concerns
about treatment and the lack of court-ordered or required programming
needed for their release. I also understand that I represent individuals
that are imprisoned and have made these visits a part of my
responsibilities while in office. As a public servant, it
important to me to understand first-hand the conditions, effectiveness
and safety of our correctional facilities for both those confined or
employed at these institutions.
Meeting
with Project Central Voice
 On Tuesday, I attended a meeting to
learn more about Project Central Voice and how to better align agencies
and services that serve the Greater Milwaukee community.
Project Central Voice
partnered with community researchers to interview more than 90 residents
of the central city whose voices are seldom heard. They offered their
insights about crime prevention and community organizing in the Northside
CDBG neighborhoods and shared their results with community leaders at two
public forums. Neighborhood residents were trained in the survey
administration, certified in the Protection of Human Subjects through the
Medical College of Wisconsin and played a key role in reporting the
results. I look forward to addressing the findings of the report
and working to incorporate recommendations, where possible, in my work as
a legislator.
BOSS
Program Visit
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit the Milwaukee
Community Cyber High School and talk to students in two classrooms.
The first class I visited was the Building Occupational Skills for
Success, or BOSS, initiative. It was great to see so many students
already benefiting from the program, which was created by a unanimous
resolution from the City of Milwaukee in January 2017. The program was
originally developed by Pete Bellavia to
address the need for community based leadership in Milwaukee. With its
focus on personal finance, employment and entrepreneurship, the BOSS
program’s goal is to prepare students for graduation and from there find
success in their own business ventures and community projects. I had a
great time explaining the process that led to the successful
implementation of the program and can’t wait to check back in with the
students to see just how far they go!
The second class was with a group of seniors discussing Social Issues.
I spoke with the students about some of the Milwaukee specific issues
we’ve found solutions to, and more importantly the issues we still face.
The pipeline to prison, institutionalized racism, under
funded public schools… The list goes on. These are all real
problems in Milwaukee that need our attention. They are things we can
change, not just parts of life we have to accept. It was great talking to
a group of young people who have first-hand experience dealing with these
issues and who are as eager as me to work towards making a change. I
reminded them that changing the world starts with a conversation as
simple as the one we were having. You don’t need to be anyone in
particular to improve things. That’s something I’ve always believed and I
hope you’ll remember that when it comes time to share your vision of the
world.
Judge
Yang Swearing-In Ceremony
 This Good Friday will be extra good,
as I will get to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Milwaukee County
Circuit Court Judge Kristy Yang. Elected in April 2017, Judge Yang
will become just the second Hmong-American judge in the country, and
first female Hmong-American judge in the nation. Prior to running for
office, Yang specialized in family, disability, and workplace injury law.
Yang has discussed the importance of cultural competence in dealing
with minority populations and not allowing cultural barriers to impede
justice in a case. Growing up in a refugee camp in Thailand before
moving to Sheboygan with her family, Judge Yang will do much to bring
another perspective and set of skills to Milwaukee County Circuit
Court. Yang’s installation moves us a step closer to having a
judicial system that better reflects the communities we serve. I
look forward to witnessing history when she is swore in on Friday.
MMAC
Visit
 Wednesday night was the Metropolitan
Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s annual (MMAC) Madison Night in
Milwaukee. Legislators and community leaders from the Milwaukee area got
a chance to connect and learn from one another. The reception highlighted
the immense economic impact Milwaukee has on the state as a whole. The
goal of MMAC is simple: Help Milwaukee continue transforming into a world
class business center and a hub for job creation. One of the best ways to
do this is by supporting local businesses and creating government
programs to encourage others to move to Milwaukee. In the last few weeks
the Milwaukee Legislative Delegation petitioned Governor Walker to apply
for Federal Opportunity Zones around the city. If these zones come to
fruition, they will provide incentives for businesses to set up shop in
our community, creating jobs for local residents. Seeing Milwaukee
transformed into the strongest version of itself economically is
something I’ve been passionate about for some time now, so needless to
say, I appreciated the opportunity to attend.
50
Miles More March
 High school students from around the
state took part in the 50 Miles More March this week. From Sunday to
Wednesday, an incredible group of student activists marched the 50 miles
from Madison to Janesville to keep the issue of gun safety in the public
sphere after Saturday’s March for our Lives in DC. They cited the young
people who marched in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march as
inspiration. I am inspired by them. Students from Milwaukee schools like
Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, and Rufus King (Go Generals!) joined others to
collectively make the statement that keeping our kids safe extends beyond
the doors of a classroom. We have a responsibility to make safer
communities for these students as well.
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