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Official Government
Communication
Week of Dec. 3rd - 9th
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
GOP
Senate Tax Plan Riddled With Issues 
In the biggest tax code overhaul in years, the U.S. Senate tax plan
is riddled with problems. Rushing the bill’s passage, Republican
lawmakers have failed to responsibly create clear and fair tax
legislation. Additionally, they have ignored the far-reaching
implications of this huge policy change on American families as reported
by the Congressional Budget Office. More than one hundred organizations
have lined up to raise concerns about the plan. Yet Republican
congressional leaders seem unfazed. Though the main priority of the new
tax plan is to incentivize business in the United States, it would
ultimately hurt small businesses and startups while granting huge breaks
to multinational corporations. For example, keeping the alternative
minimum tax will nullify the value of a popular research and development
tax break, discouraging businesses from spending on these crucial areas.
Other provisions will raise taxes on many middle-class families and
primarily benefits some of the nation’s wealthiest citizens. Governor
Walker has been clear in his support for the Trump administration’s tax
plan and although I agree the tax codes need to be modernized, I do not
support misleading Wisconsin residents about the true impact of the tax
plan. Link to story: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/tax-plan-glitches-mistakes-republicans-208049.
Sexual
Assault Response Should Be Free of Partisanship
 Recent allegations and accusations
of sexual assault have rocked the country. No industry is immune or
without concern, this includes local and national legislative chambers.
The consequences have been swift in some instances. Media and business
giants have fallen. With many fired or resigning, increased public
scrutiny has demonstrated little tolerance for these accounts of sexual
misconduct. Except in one arena, where some lawmakers seem to think they
are exempt or above the law. In particular, the reaction of far too many
Republican members of the U.S. Congress has been simply unacceptable.
On Tuesday, Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan) resigned from office after he
was accused by numerous former female legislative staffers of
inappropriate or unwanted sexual advance. On Thursday, Sen. Al Franken
(D-Minnesota) announced that he will officially resign his position in
the coming weeks. Democrats, led by female legislators, in both chambers
called for their resignations and are currently asking for their
colleague Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Nevada) to step
down as well. In stark contrast, far too many Republicans have remained
largely silent on allegations of sexual misconduct by Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), who used $85,000 of taxpayer
money to pay a claim of a former staffer. Many Republicans legislators
have lined up to stand behind U.S. Senate Candidate Roy Moore (R-Alabama)
who has been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct with underage high
schools girls. Then-candidate Donald Trump received the Republican
nomination for president after audio tapes of him bragging about sexually
assaulting women surfaced and more than 19 women came forward with claims
of sexual assault against him. As President, Trump has formally endorsed
Roy Moore and said in a phone call to Moore, “Go get ‘em,
Roy”. The deafening silence from most members of Congressional Republican
leadership calls into question the judgment and integrity of our heads of
state. Supporting individuals who commits such acts to maintain
legislative power is outrageous and sends a dangerous message to both
victims and perpetrators of these assaults. Here in Wisconsin, we have
had our own allegations arise. I am pleased to report that mandatory
attendance at presentations aimed at raising awareness of sexual assault
in the workplace and resources available to staff have been provided.
Sexual assault should not be a polarizing issue relegated to partisan
politics. We must work together to improve organizational cultures that
are free of sexual misconduct towards women.
Dressember
 This past Wednesday, I celebrated “Dressember” as part of the campaign to promote
awareness on sex trafficking and sex slavery in both the United States
and worldwide. Every day in December, women are asked to wear a dress to
recognize the millions of individuals whose lives are impacted by sex
slavery. The dress represents a flag for the campaign and a symbol of
people everywhere reclaiming their dignity. Sadly, more than 30 million
people are currently enslaved worldwide. Internationally, human
trafficking generates about $150 billion dollars and approximately 2
million innocent youth are exploited in the global sex trade. Milwaukee
has repeatedly ranked among the top cities for human trafficking, where
the youngest individual between 2010 and 2012 was only 12 years old. Dressember events have earned over $3 million dollars
to advocate for human trafficking victims and help in the eradication of sex
trafficking.I am extremely committed to this
unconscionable crime in Wisconsin. To combat this, I have authored and
supported legislation that addresses human trafficking and increases
penalties associated with soliciting sex with a minor. If you know someone
who may be experiencing human trafficking, please call 1-888-373-7888.
Sisters
4 A Cure
 This week, I attended the “Braver,
Bolder, Better: Breast Cancer & Cervical Cancer Prevention and
Survivorship” event hosted by Sisters 4 a Cure. The organization is
composed of a group of dedicated volunteers and cancer survivors who
spread awareness on self-care skills and practices to improve the quality
of life for those affected by breast cancer and depression. Nationally,
there are large disparities between white and black women in breast
cancer mortality. In 2012, black women in the U.S. were 42 percent more
likely than their white counterparts to die from breast cancer. While
breast cancer deaths continue to decrease among white females in the nation,
it has increased by more than 36 percent in black women in Southeastern
Wisconsin. These differences are attributed to a variety of causes that
include the stage at which cancer is detected, screening awareness and
the sad fact that black women are more likely to develop something known
as triple negative breast cancer. Additionally, the health of black women
diagnosed with breast cancer is often compromised by up to three other
diseases such as high blood pressure, depression and diabetes. In terms
of cervical cancer, an estimated 4,000 women in the U.S. die from the
disease each year. Racial disparities impact life expectancy in this form
of cancer, as well. One of the ways we can make a difference and attempt
to combat these diseases is to educate the public, especially young
women. We need to help women to understand the importance of early
detection. Further, providing better access to screening services for
low-income and underinsured women is essential. If you or a loved one
needs access to breast cancer screening services, the Wisconsin Well
Program provides services to women with little to no health insurance.
For more information, please visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wwwp/index.htm.
Riveredge Environment Center
 Recently, I visited the Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville. This
organization is dedicated to creating healthy communities, both human and
of nature. They work to educate individuals of all backgrounds about
environmental conservation in hopes of creating a better future for all.
As a part of their outreach, they encourage others to explore nature to
connect with it; they offer field trips for students to be fully immersed
in nature and hold different programs for youth and adult groups in an
effort to give all individuals the opportunity to explore and connect
with the natural world. Expanding opportunities at the intersection of
social lifestyles and environmental conservation shows a progress toward
bringing the community together while also bringing awareness to
sustainability efforts. They are also a renowned research facility, as
the Undergraduate and Graduate Environmental Research Symposium works to
expand the collection of important data to connect with local and
national databases. Connecting a community with the natural resources
around us is crucial in educating citizens on the ecosystem services
provided by our environment. Riveredge Nature
Center’s approach to education shows that the best way to enrich one’s
education is outside the classroom. Experiencing nature as opposed to
only reading about it in a textbook allows all of us to truly understand
the environment around us. Furthermore, knowing more about nature is a
great way to get others involved in the urban agriculture and forestry
sector, ultimately allowing for more involvement in that sector of the
workforce. Their initiative to develop and launch an environmental
science internship and fellowship is an example of how this organization
stays dedicated to their mission. To learn more information about Riveredge Nature Center, please visit http://www.riveredgenaturecenter.org/the-mission/.
"We
Got This" 500 Black Tuxedos
Looking forward to this weekend, I am excited to
attend the 3rd Annual 500 Black Tuxedos event. Sponsored by the
organization “We Got This”, the affair is a motivational and inspiring
opportunity for Milwaukee area youth to be paired with African-American adult
male mentors. The program targets those between the ages of 12 and 20.
Securing tuxedos for roughly 250 boys and young men, “We Got This”
founder Andre Lee Ellis seeks to help attendees view themselves
differently. His mission is to show at risk boys and youth that there’s
so much more to life. Participants receive a fresh haircut, venture over
to the Milwaukee Art Museum for a group photo and then to dinner. Along
the way, attendees get to talk and engage with community leaders. The
mentors are with them to demonstrate the community’s support and desire
to see them succeed. Much of this organization’s work has helped to
create a sense of community within targeted neighborhoods, encourage
education and demonstrate that there are people ready to support their
dreams. Additionally, “We Got This” has a regular weekly program that
teaches youth about urban gardening. While participating, they have come
to learn valuable life skills, help clean up their neighborhood, earn
money and be connected to a mentor. I have always been an advocate for
urban agriculture and putting gardening into schools; with my
LOVE&FAITH initiative. I am proud to support organizations like this
that have so positively impacted the lives of the youth in our
communities. To donate to the black tuxedo event and become a mentor,
visit www.wegotthismke.com.
This event is an incredible way to take back our neighborhoods and
empower our youth!
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