November 15, 2007

 

Taylor Appointed to Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance and Job Creation

MADISON – On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) announced the appointment of Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee) to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance and Job Creation.  Taylor replaced Senator Roger Breske (D-Eland) on the eight member committee.

“I’m extremely excited at having been appointed to the Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance and Job Creation,” said Taylor. “I think that the diversity of issues covered by the committee is a great opportunity to affect positive change for Wisconsinites in all walks of life.  How we, as a committee, deal with those issues—from income tax provision to disease treatment strategies—will have a major impact across the state, and that’s a responsibility that I take very seriously.”

There are currently 34 separate items before the Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance and Job Creation.  In topic, they range from medical malpractice to public funding of healthcare to regulation of anatomical gifts to taxation of soft drinks.  In addition to reviewing and recommending legislation, the committee also votes on the appointments of examiners and trainers to various state boards. 

“Obviously, there’s no shortage of work to be done as a member of this committee,” Taylor noted. “But I’m looking forward to the challenge of researching and inquiring about such a diverse set of issues.  There are pressing matters before this committee, with the potential to affect millions of people, and I take that responsibility seriously.”

Taylor already serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections, and Housing, and as a member of the Joint Committees on Finance and Retirement Systems.  Asked about her growing workload, Taylor replied, “My motto’s always been, ‘Here to serve!’ If I can serve Wisconsin as a member of this committee, than I’m happy to do so, regardless of the extra work.”

In addition to Taylor, the Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance and Job Creation is composed of Senators Jon Erpenbach (D-Westport, Chair), Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma, Vice-Chair), Tim Carpenter (D- Milwaukee), Carol Roessler (R- Oshkosh), Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), and Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield).  Presently, there is no date set for the committee’s next meeting.