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Official Government
Communication
Week of June 11th - June 16th
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
Raw Food
for Beginners 
This week started off with my office getting the opportunity to sit
down with an entrepreneur and certified Raw Chef that teaches healthy
cooking classes in Milwaukee. Eden's Market, a raw food line that had an
eight-part Raw Cooking series on Wisconsin Public Television, spoke to many of the concerns that have driven my passion
about Urban Ag and gardening. When I heard about some of the meals she's
prepared, I understood why! Raw cooking is a style of food preparation
that calls for only using whole foods and not cooking anything above 118
degrees. This style of cooking offers both new flavors and the health
benefits of not cooking the vitamins and minerals out of food. A growing
community of people attest to feeling healthier and more energetic on a
raw diet. I'm extremely excited that I'll have the opportunity to try my
own hand at raw cooking as the Guest Chef on Caroline's Raw Creations
Interactive Healthy Cooking Class in a couple of weeks!
McGovern
National Night Out
 On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure
of attending the third annual "Night Out at McGovern Park". The
event, hosted by Erica Lofton of the Milwaukee Youth Council, Milwaukee
County Supervisor, Sequanna Taylor, and a
variety of civic partners brought members of the community together to
enjoy a fun night filled with music, food, and games. In addition to free
food and entertainment, "Night Out at McGovern Park" also
provided constituents with an opportunity to learn about beneficial organizations in the area that provides
services on a wide range of issues. I enjoyed the chance to talk to some
of my constituents and listen to their thoughts on what I can do to
improve their neighborhood. As someone who has attended the event each
year since it began in 2016, it is something I eagerly look forward to
every summer. The event has grown in both size and attendance. It is
clear that this has become a special annual gathering for everyone.
Equity
Council Meeting
 On Tuesday, my office attended a
meeting of the Equity Council focused on the implementation of Social and
Emotional Learning in Wisconsin's schools through an equity lens. The
Equity Council is a body within the Department of Public Instruction that
is chaired by State Superintendent Tony Evers and brings together
stakeholders from a variety of educational backgrounds as well as a
handful of public officials to ensure our state's public education system
works for everyone. The Equity Council was founded to help close the
student achievement gap in Wisconsin within six years.
Academic achievement is measured in outcomes, usually standardized
test scores. Behind every test score is student.
In this state, the students from minority backgrounds and lower-income
families tend to have worse educational outcomes than their peers. Those
at the intersection of both do even worse. It is clear that the social
and emotional health of our students are key factors in their academic
outcomes. I am proud to serve my community on the Equity Council to
ensure everything possible is done to empower the most underserved
students in our state.
FLAC
Meeting with Milwaukee District Attorney
 On Wednesday, I attended a meeting
between members of the Freshwater for Life Action Coalition and District
Attorney John Chisholm to request an investigation into the City of
Milwaukee Health Department's Childhood Lead Poison Prevention Program. A
report was recently released by the Department of Health Services stating
that the Milwaukee Health Department's Childhood Lead Poison Prevention
Program closed cases of child lead poisoning before meeting the
statutorily prescribed guidelines for doing so. FLAC asked that the DHS
findings be investigated to ensure accountability and protect public
safety. I'm proud of the Freshwater for Life Action Coalition for
speaking out about this issue and look forward to working with them to
address these critical concerns.
Green
Schools Conference
 On Thursday my office attended the
Green Schools Conference at Fernwood Montessori
in Bay View. The state-of-the-art facilities focused on agriculture at
the school. Fernwood has its greenhouse, rain
garden, aquaponics system, and outdoor classroom! The conference itself
focused on how we can make schools more eco-friendly and students more
eco-literate. Workshops focused on giving a voice to youth passionate
about taking care of our environment, making schools daily activities
greener, and how administrators can work more eco-literacy into school
curriculum.
Panel on
the Midterm Elections
 Today,
I was privileged to sit on a panel at the Rainbow PUSH convention in
Chicago. I was joined by other state representatives to highlight the upcoming
midterm elections. As a group, we each spoke to our experiences as
legislators from around the country to put the importance of the
elections into context. During this vital election cycle, the entire
House of Representatives, a third of the U.S. Senate, and 36
governorships are up for election. Thousands of state legislative seats
are in play and local races as well. Because turnout is usually low in
the midterms, a few people will make decisions for the rest of the
country. It may not be the choices you want.
The last few years have seen the progress and promise of generations
halted by a brand of politics born from the worst part of ourselves. In
both tone and tenor, the country is changing. These elections will help
determine which political agenda will survive and which will be silenced.
Everything from Supreme Court appointments, judicial rulings, Social
Security, Medicare, education, and safety net programs are at stake. In
2010, millions were invested in state and local races to enable the harmful
gerrymandering and redistricting that has worked to silence voices and
elevate one party. We discussed voter suppression and why it's so
important to register to vote. But make no mistake, everything is on the
table from impeachment discussions, extended Russian meddling
investigations, Trump's cabinet appointees to
relationships with allies and enemies around the world. Bottom line, we
stressed that all elections have consequences.
Rainbow Push Coalition
Isaiah's
Graduation
On Saturday, I'll be doing what so many
of you have done the last couple of months. I will be attending the high
school graduation of my son, Isaiah! It seems like just yesterday I was
dropping him off for first grade. Now, in the blink of an eye, my only
child will soon be leaving for college. I couldn't be more proud of him,
but it is unnerving to see him preparing for this next phase of his
journey. My son has been amazing in sharing his mom with the constituents
of the 4th Senate district and for that, I am thankful. Congratulations
Isaiah!
Intern
Spotlight
 Chris Murphy is a junior at
UW-Madison from New Jersey majoring in biochemistry. Chris chose to study
biochemistry because he enjoys the analytical processes that are utilized
in that field. Outside of this office, Chris is a member of the Alexander
Hamilton Society and Model UN. These experiences have been helpful in his
work in the office.
As a policy intern, Chris is responsible for moving along the
Senator's policy agenda through research and administrative work. During
the summer when the Senate is not in legislative session, he helps
prepare for the upcoming session and does work for the summer committees
Senator Taylor is on.
The internship will help prepare him for a career in public policy
which he hopes to pursue after graduation. He also plans to go to law
school to study patent law. Chris wanted to work at Senator Taylor's
office because he supports her positions and wanted to help move along
her policies in any way he can.
Community Action
Alerts
Safe & Sound
Donations: June 19-28
Dear City of Milwaukee Residents:
For their 20th anniversary the Safe & Sound Campaign will be
accepting donations June 19-28 to support projects and other efforts that
create stronger and safer communities in the Milwaukee area.
Free “Little Libraries”, neighborhood cleanups and community gardens are
some examples of how Safe & Sound has been a positive influence in
the Milwaukee community.
Also, Safe & Sound has partnered with the Milwaukee Police Department
in holding monthly Crime and Safety Meetings for each Milwaukee district.
4th district meetings are held 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month
at in the Safety Academy at 6680 N. Teutonia
Ave.
For more information on these meetings contact Community Liaison Officers
Tracey Geniesse at (414) 935-7248 or Carrie
Resnick at (414) 935-7373.
If you can please help Safe & Sound reach their $5,000 goal to
continue these incredible programs!
Transportation and
Logistics Careers Information Session
Learn about careers, training options, and more
from industry experts and businesses that are hiring now! Find out how to
begin a career as a truck driver, shipping and receiving associate, cargo
handler, warehouse associate, or distribution technician.
When: Thursday, June 28th from 3:00 pm - 4:00
pm
Where: Employ Milwaukee, 2342 N. 27th Street,
Room 118, Milwaukee, WI 53210
For more information, call (414) 270-1728 or
email Biz.Services@employmilwaukee.org
Work Continues Along
Milwaukee's Valley Bridge
Please see the briefing below from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on continuing work on
Milwaukee's Valley Bridge
On the evening of Wednesday, May 30, the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
will begin the next phase of the Valley Bridge overlay project in the
city of Milwaukee. This phase will shift southbound I-43 traffic allowing
for the 11th Street / Wisconsin Avenue on-ramp to I-43 south to reopen.
As the project advances, access to certain
system ramps will continue to become available. Please note that these
closures are weather dependent and subject to change.
Current long-term ramp closures:
- I-794 West to I-43
South
(Until Late June)
- I-43 North to I-94
West
(Until Late June)
- I-43 North to 10th
Street and Michigan Avenue Off-Ramp
(Until Late June)
- I-94 East to I-43
South
(Until Late July)
- Mineral
Street/National Avenue On-Ramp to I-43 North
(Until Late August)
The primary detour route for navigating
interchange access continues to be the I-794 Hoan
Bridge. For more information on closures and detour routes, visit 511
Wisconsin or visit their website.
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