
|
|
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, so if there's anything my office can
do to assist you, please feel free to contact us.
In Service,

Senator Lena Taylor
Wisconsin's 4th Senate
District
|
|
|
Talking
Forestry with UW-Steven's Point
Monday Sen. Taylor spoke with representatives
from UW-Steven’s Point College of Natural Resources to discuss
innovative ways that the college and community could collaborate to
provide additional educational opportunities for students and
residents, alike. Whether looking at breaking down silos across
industries or discussing the unique programs th at
exist across the region, Sen. Taylor was excited to talk about ways
to collaborate.
One such example is Urban
Forestry. UW-Steven’s Point offers environmental programs that
teach students skills in forestry and agriculture. Sen. Taylor
discussed bringing the educators in those programs to Milwaukee to
teach at existing urban orchards, schools, and tech colleges. This
collaboration could mean producing more skilled workers to meet the
demand of industry, an ability to create on-the-job training
prospects, and create pathways to employment.
|
|
Meeting
with Senator Testin to Discuss Hemp
Legislation
Sen. Taylor met with Sen.
Patrick Testin and representatives from
the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
(DATCP) responsible for administering the new industrial hemp pilot
program on Tuesday. The meeting focused on updates regarding the
program’s implementation and concerns raised by those interested in
being hemp farmers. Speci fically,
some Wisconsin farmers that have enrolled in the industrial
hemp pilot program have indicated there operations are negatively
impacted by hemp products, such as CBD oil that is imported from
other states and not required to register with the new program.
Sen. Taylor asked about the possibility of making these imports
register with our hemp program or the ability to identify them
differently.
Other areas of discussion centered around the creation of a
“testing industry” to support the budding hemp industry, as well as
other uses for hemp such a making water filters that could be used
to help fight the lead crisis in Milwaukee.
|
|
St.
Joe's Community Listening Session
This week, Senator Taylor attended a community
listening session hosted by Ascension Wisconsin regarding St.
Joseph’s Hospital. Community members were asked to provide
input on what they felt was needed and how to create a sustainable
health care campus. Sen. Taylor was encouraged at the level
of engagement and ideas from area residents. Si nce
the news of proposed cuts in services or possible closing of St.
Joseph’s earlier this year, the hospital’s leadership has responded
to the concerns by looking to expand additional services. On
the table for discussion are the need to address some of the
“social determinants” of health care to include employment,
housing, long-term care and education. Sen. Taylor is committed to
ensuring that the hospital’s location remain a viable heath care
partner for the Milwaukee community.
|
|
Juvenile
Corrections Reform Listening Session
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections held a listening session at
North Division High School to garner the community’s feedback on
what they would like to see included in the
new design of juvenile correctional facilities around the state.
Sen. Taylor attended the session and engaged residents regarding
the perceived and real impact of the reform efforts.
With the pending closing of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake
facilities, area residents need a voice and a role in reshaping
juvenile corrections. After an overview of the legislation known as
Act 185, participants broke out into smaller groups to discuss the
implementation of the Act. As a member of the Act 185 Juvenile
Corrections Study Committee, Sen. Taylor requested that after
having the initial sessions held in Green Bay, Waukesha, and Eau
Claire, it was certainly necessary to include Milwaukee in these
input sessions.
|
|
Stuart
Elementary School Visit
This week Senator Taylor visited Stuart Elementary
School to talk to 1st grad ers
about the importance of reading and healthy eating. How does one do
both at the same time? By reading Farmer Will Allen and the Growing
Table of course! The book features Milwaukee’s own, Will Allen, a
community leader and urban farming advocate whose work Senator
Taylor admires. After reading, Senator Taylor snacked on fruits and
vegetables with the students that she brought to the school.
As the Senator continues to look at social determinants of health
outcomes, she is committed to helping students get an early start
on making good food choices and healthier eating habits.
|
|
Milwaukee
Food Council Meeting
Thursday, Sen. Taylor attended The Milwaukee Food Council meeting. The
group, which was started in 2007, is concerned about our food
system and meets on a regular basis t o
develop intentional, positive strategies for a healthy, affordable,
equitable food system that nourishes our community and respects the
environment.
Of particular interest to Sen. Taylor are the discussions around
access to healthy, affordable food, local food production, public
health and other policy initiatives. Sen. Taylor updated the group
on the work she has been doing on Urban Agriculture and her Love
& Faith initiative to address many of the areas focused on by
the council.
|
|
Intern
Spotlight: Ashley Higgins
As students have returned to school, Senator
Taylor is also welcoming a new class of interns into both her
Madison and Milwaukee office. There are eight new interns! We would
like to introduce you to Ashley, a casework intern. Ashley is a
junior studying political science at UW-Madison. Hailing from the
Milwaukee suburb o f Brown Deer, Ashley
specifically wanted to intern for Senator Taylor. The ability to
learn about issues that hit close to home and gain
experience in constituent relations appealed to her. Aside from
spending nearly every day at the Capitol, Ashley is also a
Chancellor’s and Powers Knapp scholar as well as being an
active member of IMPACT, a Christian based organization for
primarily minority students.
While she still has time to decide on what to do after graduation,
she says she is leaving her options open; debating between law
school, graduate school, or possibly even the Peace Corps or
AmeriCorps. Whatever Ashley decides, we are so glad she has joined
us this semester. Her friendly smile is a welcome addition during
the chaotic happenings here at the Capitol.
|
|
Community Action
Alerts
Health
Matters Event
Community
Care Inc., will be hosting to Community Health Matters Event from
10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, September 22, at its Vliet
Street Day Center located at 3220 W. Vliet
Street.
The event is free and open to the public and will include: flu
shots, blood pressure checks, blood glucose checks for diabetes,
Memory screenings, depression screenings, chair fitness screenings,
educational presentations and meet and greets with Community Care
doctors as well as other local health and wellness providers including
Dee’s Medical Services LLC, SDS Senior Program, Survey of Health
Wisconsin (SHOW), Victory Garden Initiative, a mobile food pantry,
and more.
For
More Information Click Here
Race
and Trauma: A Community Gathering
Join the
conversation about the impact of historical and generational trauma
on the people in our community. And, get to see one of Milwaukee's
most recent revitalization projects, the new Fiserv Forum! Speakers
and special guests are still being confirmed. This FREE event is a
kickoff to a two-day conference called Healing Trauma, Healthy
Communities. Both events are hosted by SWIM (Scaling Wellness in
Milwaukee), a multi-disciplinary group dedicated to inspiring
collaboration to help Milwaukee heal.
For
More Information Click Here
|
|
Weekly Events
Weekend Wellness Walk
Saturday, September 22nd, 10:00-11:00 p.m.
500 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202
For
More Information Click Here
Walker's Point 5th Street Fest
Saturday, September 22nd, 12:00-10:00 p.m.
630 South 5th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204
For
More Information Click Here
Westown Farmers' Market
Wednesday, September 26th, 10:00 a.m.
Zeidler Union Square, 301 W. Michigan
Street, Milwaukee, WI 53203
For
More Information Click Here
Jackson Park Farmers' Market
Thursday, September 27th, 3:30-7:00 p.m.
3500 W. Forest Home Ave, WI 53215
For
More Information Click Here
Nature Photos With A Naturalist
Friday, September 28th, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Friends of Lakeshore State Park, 500 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI
53202
For
More Information Click Here
|
|
|
Quote of The Week
"Silencing women, silences
justice."-DaShanne Stokes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|