Official Government
Communication
Week of August 26th - September
1st
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
Fiserv
Forum Meeting
On Sunday, I joined over
5,000 community members at the grand opening of the new home for the
Milwaukee Buck’s team, the Fiserv Forum. Watching the new arena go up,
it’s hard to believe this was
just talk, negotiations and plans two years ago. Held on Herb Kohl way,
the opening ceremony honored former team owner and U .S.
Senator Herb Kohl, who gave $100 million to help cover the nearly $530
million dollar price tag on the facility.
With a welcome mat, that was
large enough to set a record in the Guinness World Records, fans were
treated to a tour of nearly the entire building. It was great to see
residents get access to luxury suites, premium seating and areas that
they might not always get to see. Wherever you fell on taxpayer funding
of this project, it was clear that the open house was unifying. I am
excited to learn about the final economic impact of the building phase of
the arena on Wisconsin jobs and look forward to the continued development
of Milwaukee's Entertainment District.
Study
Committee on Child Placement and Support
Senator Taylor attended the
first meeting of the Committee on Child Placement and Support this week.
Created to review the standards under current law for determining periods
of physical placement and
child support obligations, the committee may consider alternatives to
current law concerning physical
placement, including a rebuttable presumption that equal placement is in
the child’s best interest. The
committee may also consider whether the current standard for deter mining
child support adequately and equitably provides for the support of
children and alternative models for determining child support
obligations.
As the Vice Chair of the
committee, Senator Taylor and committee members received presentations
regarding Placement of Children in Family Cases, Wisconsin’s Child
Support Guidelines Historical
Perspective, and Child Custody and Support Guidelines, from agency and
industry experts. Understanding the need to be flexible and realistic
about the diversity of situations that exist in child placement and
support decisions, Senator Taylor knows that child welfare isn’t a one
size fits all concept. Some issues that are already on the table include
child support payments, cases involving domestic violence, and the way
current law applies to military families. In the months leading up to
this initial meeting Senator Taylor and her staff met with groups that
have a stake in these conversations and now that things are getting
started, the Senator looks forward to continued work with those
individuals to ensure that the Committee addresses those concerns. As a
legislator, and more importantly as a mother, Senator Taylor is grateful
for the opportunity to work towards making a difference for children and
their parents as a member of the Committee.
Juvenile
Justice Study Committee Meeting
Senator Taylor attended the
Act 185 Juvenile Corrections Study Committee, for the third and final
meeting before the September 1st deadline to submit recommendatio ns
regarding Juvenile Justice Reforms. The meeting consisted of
presentations regarding the Core Principles for Effective Re-Entry by the
Council of State Governments Justice Center, Essential Elements of
Facility Services & Supports from the Center for Juvenile Justice
Reform from Georgetown University, and the Assessment & Case Planning
in Wisconsin’s Youth Justice System.
Finally a list of
recommendations were generated from facilitated group work were reviewed
and prioritized. Senator Taylor expressed support for the involvement of
family and community has a priority, alongside cultural competency, and
evidence based re-entry programs that would start the moment the youth
enters a correctional facility. She also advocated for course credits of
classes that would be transferable at any school, certificate and
employment training programs that also were accepted across the industry.
While the Senator was pleased to be a part of the committee, she
expressed disappointment at the limited time the Committee was provided
to do its work and make recommendations.
LOVE and
FAITH Meeting with Northcott Neighborhood House
Senator
Taylor was excited to sit down for a meeting with representatives from
the Northcott
Neighborhood House and the Department of Workforce Development to discuss
continued
methods in which Urban Agriculture can be employed to assist a myriad of
issues in Milwaukee
to include employment, food deserts and other social determinants of
health and well-being.
She discussed urban gardens, existing and developing partnerships to
provide employment
training and funding, as well as the importance of community hubs.
Fork
Farms Indoor Growing Installations at MLK Community Center with WestCare
Thursday was a huge day
involving the work of Senator Taylor’s Love and Faith initiative. As a
part of
expanding the options for Urban Ag in Milwaukee, Senator Taylor was
pleased to join WestCare and
community partners at the Martin Luther King Community Center and th e
Harambee Community Center for the installation
and celebration of a vertical garden machine, The Flex Farm.
To impart the importance that health isn’t just a diet, but a lifestyle,
the people behind Fork Farms have made that lifestyle more accessible for
everyone. The company has worked with Milwaukee Public Schools and
organizations across Wisconsin to promote education on urban agriculture
and hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil. By feeding
plants liquid nutrients directly, instead of through soil, the Flex Farm
allows year round harvesting of a wide variety of delicious leafy greens.
The promotion of alternative methods to farming and urban agriculture is
a key element in Senator Taylor’s LOVE and FAITH initiative. If you’d
like to work with Fork Farms and set up an installation or educational
session for your group, you can reach them at (920)-257-1380.
UW-Milwaukee
and MKE Delegation
On Friday, Senator Taylor
joined members of the Milwaukee delegation of state legislators in a meeting
with UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Dr. Mone to
discuss an array of issues to include their capital budget requests and
statewide initiatives regarding a new undergrad degree. In addition,
Senator Taylor also discussed research opportunities for UWM and concerns
about diversity and inclusion.
Olympic
Gold
Saturday, Senator Taylor’s
office is pleased to attend the Weekend of Cha mpions’
Appreciation Luncheon, in which we will present a citation to Milwaukee
native, Kenny Harrison. A graduate of Brookfield Central High School,
where he competed in football, basketball and track. He holds schools
records in the long, high, and triple jump. His triple jump of 52 feet
4.5 inches at the 1983 Golden West Invitational ranked him #2 triple jump
prep in the nation and currently stands as the Wisconsin high school #1
all-time triple jump by over 2 feet. Harrison attended Kansas State
University, where he captured three individual titles at the NCAA
Championships, the most in school history. An 8-time Big 12 Conference
individual champion in both indoor and outdoor long and triple jump, he
holds school records in indoor long jump (26' 9.75") and outdoor
long and triple jump (26' 11.5" and 56'0", respectively). An
11-time NCAA All-American and a 15-time Big 8 Champion, it was no
surprise that Harrison went to the Olympics. He was the 1991 World triple
jump Champion, but due to an injury missed the 92’ Olympics. However, he
went on to win the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics with a personal
best, American and Olympic record of 18.09 m (59 ft
4 in), with negative wind! It is great to acknowledge, although
long-overdue, this hometown hero.
Signing
Off
Saturday,
Senator Taylor will be stopping by WGLB Radio 1560AM to say goodbye to
host Cliffee Parris of the Community Talk radio
show. A long-time fixture in Milwaukee community talk-radio, the Senator
has appeared on the show regularly. Ms. Parris and her son, Keith,
offered a wide range of subject matter and programming to listeners.
Steeped in spirituality, this faith-based duo brought balance and
compassion in difficult conversations. Although they will be sorely
missed, Keith can now be heard at WNOV 860AM Monday – Thursday from 11am
– 12pm and Friday from 9am - Noon.
Democracy
at The Dentist 
Even during a busy week of
legislative work and community outreach, Senator Taylor made sure to take
care of herself with a trip to the dentist, which doubled as photo
shoot. Even policy makers have to set aside time for their health!
The only plaque in Senator Taylor's office is the latest proclamation
she's getting ready for a member of the community.
Community Action
Alerts
Free
Friday Night Concerts
I encourage you all to take advantage of the
free Friday night concert series hosted by Arts @ Large. All concerts
will be located at the corner of 3rd and Walker Streets in the Walker’s
Point neighborhood of Milwaukee.
Below are the dates and performers of each show:
- Sept
7 Listening Party – Bluegrass/Americana
- Sept
14 Command Performance – Big Band
For more information check out Art @ Large's website. Enjoy!
Milwaukee
Public Schools Family Enrollment
School is about to start for most Milwaukee
families. The first day of school for MPS elementary schools on the
traditional calendar is Tuesday, September 4th.
To best serve families who need help with
enrollment, MPS Central Services will open doors on two Saturdays.
- Saturday,
September 1, from 8AM - 4PM.
Staff will be on hand to answer questions and
help families select a school, update contact information, create a
parent portal account, and register students.
MPS Central Services is located at 5225 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee WI 53208
For more enrollment information, click here.
Reinhart
Food Service - Order Selectors Wanted!!
Reinhart Foodservice is one of the largest,
independent food service distributors in the country, serving independent
restaurants, delis, sporting venues, schools, nursing homes, hospitals,
the military, and chain restaurants.
Reinhart employees are passionate about their
business and their food! If you love the thrill of the chase and thrive
on hard work and dedication, please apply today!
How to Apply
For more information and to apply online: http://jobs.rfsdelivers.com/
OR
Call Cynthia McGinnis at 312-840-6024 OR email at Cmcginnis_c@rfsdelivers.com
Free
Hepatitis C Screenings
"Take on Hep
C" is coming to Milwaukee to provide free hepatitis C testing, with
same-day results, to veterans and those attending the Harley-Davidson
115th anniversary. About 3.4 million people in the U.S. are living with hep C but because most people do not experience
symptoms, many don't even know they have it.
Friday August 31st, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday, September 1st, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday, September 2nd, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N.
Lincoln Memorial Dr., Milwaukee WI 53202
For more information, click here
South
Howell Avenue Reconstruction Project
Please see the
briefing below from the Wisconsin Department of Public Works on
reconstruction on South Howell Avenue in Milwaukee.
The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
(DPW) announces that a reconstruction project on South Howell Avenue from
West Grange to Layton Avenues will begin on Monday, July 16, 2018 with
preliminary work on the avenue crossovers. This is a State of Wisconsin
Department on Transportation project, managed in conjunction with DPW,
and is expected to last into December 2018, weather permitting.
IMPORTANT: Access to General Mitchell
International Airport (GMIA) from S. Howell Ave. will be maintained
during this project.
However, GMIA travelers, customers, employees,
and vendors should be aware of traffic pattern changes and possible
delays accessing the airport during the project. The traveling public may
wish the use South 13th Street between W. Layton and W. Grange as an
alternative route to the airport.
What to expect during construction:
- Two-way
traffic on S. Howell Ave. will continue during construction.
- On
Thursday, July 19 the east side of S. Howell Avenue will be closed.
- One
lane in each direction will be open on the west side of the street.
- The
intersection of S. Howell/ East & West Layton will also be
reconstructed; traffic lane closures on Layton will occur as well.
Bus Routes: #55 and the Green Line will remain
in operation on their regular routes. Route #80 will detour to/from the
Airport Spur via W. Grange Ave. to S. 6th St. Passengers should watch for
possible additional and/or relocated bus stops, and other possible
delays, and plan accordingly.
Parking: There will be no on-street parking on
S. Howell during construction.
Pedestrian access: Short-term disruptions will
occur as sidewalks are being removed and rebuilt. Temporary
accommodations will be provided as needed.
For more information on this project go to the
DPW website.
Southeast
Wisconsin Housing Summit
Racine County and the Wisconsin Housing and
Economic Development Authority will hold a Southeast Wisconsin Housing
Summit on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. The event will connect
municipalities in Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Waukesha, and Milwaukee
counties with partners in the areas of development, financial, and
housing. Individuals who may be interested in attending this session are:
municipal officials (mayors, city planners and administrators), community
leaders (housing authorities, chambers of commerce, community development
corporations and local housing partners), developers (single family,
multifamily and commercial), builders, and financial institutions.
For more information or to register for the
Summit, click
here.
Sewer
Main Pre-Bid
A Pre-Bid Meeting for Sanitary Sewer System -
Phase 1 will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the
Mount Pleasant Village Hall, 8811 Campus Drive, Mount Pleasant, WI 53406.
For more information on this meeting click
here.
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