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Official Government
Communication
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
National
Society of Black Engineers Speech
 Last
Friday, I was honored to give the keynote speech for an event with the
National Society of Black Engineers (NBSE). Started by two students in
1971, on the campus of Purdue University, NSBE has since grown to over
31,000 members, has 99 active NSBE Jr. pre-college chapters, 250 student
and 68 professional chapters. The organization
is local chapter of a global brain trust of Black Engineers who provide
top tier talent, inspire the next generation of technical professionals,
and serve as a catalyst for transforming the culture of engineering.
The theme of the night was ignite, imagine, and innovate. We learned
about the many contributions of Black men and women, who broke barriers
as engineers. We also heard about the need to recruit and retain
engineers of color. The role of racial segregation and Jim Crow laws,
demonstrated in this summer’s blockbuster movie “Hidden Figures”, is a
stark reminder of professional doors had been closed to
African-Americans. The evening was a great reminder of how far we have
come and the work that remains to introduce and get students immersed in
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career pathways. The National
Society of Black Engineers is committed to raising the number of black
engineers by 10,000 black per year. I am thrilled to be a partner in
raising awareness and providing opportunities for Milwaukee area
students.
Meeting
at MKE County Executive
 On Wednesday, I met with the
Milwaukee County Executive to discuss my Love and Faith model. A key
component of the model centers on the creation of “community hubs”. Based
on a successful Ohio program, hubs provide centralized locations for
individuals to access resources to address barriers to self-sufficiency
and overall well-being. Often, we have found that issues overlap. An
applicant for nutritional assistance may also face other issues such as
poverty and unemployment. Financial limitations may also mean these
individuals eat less healthy foods, as they are more expensive, leading
to worse health outcomes in the future. Through hubs, we create a
one-stop-shop that connects people to services. It allows people to get
the help they need and saves taxpayer dollars in the future. With hubs,
there is a reduced need for individual agencies and organizations to do
client intakes. Additionally, by connecting and helping people access
services, we can address the issues of unemployment, health, and
workforce training as soon as possible. This reduces their need for
government services in the future, improves health outcomes, and creates
healthcare savings. I am excited to see the work being done in Milwaukee
and look forward to sharing and implementing the Love and Faith model.
New
Approach Needed as Prison Overcrowding Continues 
Last week, The Wheeler Report published findings on continued issues of
overcrowding in Wisconsin’s prisons. According to The Wheeler Report and
Department of Corrections (DOC) records, as of November 10, 2017,
Wisconsin’s prisons housed 23,397 individuals despite having a design
capacity of 16,560. Dodge, Waupan, and Racine
are just some of the many correctional institutions that are overcrowded.
As the former chairwoman and current member of the Senate Judiciary and
Public Safety Committee, I have seen the consequences of continuing to
neglect our corrections system. Overcrowding increases safety and health
concerns for incarcerated individuals as well as correctional officers. In
addition, it often creates barriers for individuals to participate in
programming - which is required for parole consideration. This means
people are not getting the rehabilitation they need, and that we are
locking people up for failing to complete programming that is not
available to them. Since 2011, we have spent more on corrections than we
do for our flagship University of Wisconsin System. Spending reflects
priorities, and instead of spending billions on incarceration, we should
be using that money to address the root causes of crime. This includes
investing in education, anti-poverty programs, and treatment and
diversion alternatives - as we do in our fight to stem the opioid crisis.
National
Runaway Prevention Month
As we recognize National Runaway Prevention Month in November, this
year’s theme is “Friends Helping Friends.” The idea is simple: we want
troubled youth to know that there are people ready to support, listen and
care for them. Often teens, having a difficult time dealing with life
circumstances or as a result of abuse, flee their homes. Between 1.6 and
2.8 million youth run away in a year, seldom with a safe place to go.
Frequently, running from these situations can put them at an increased
risk of harm. In addition to homelessness, runaway teens can be exposed
to sexual victimization and human trafficking. With Wisconsin identified
as one of the top five human trafficking hubs in the United States and an
estimated 500 youths experiencing homelessness every night awareness of
resources is critical. We need to reach these youth before they make the
decision to take-off.
The month is intended to communicate a wide array of underutilized
resources for run-away or homeless youth. It is also a time to support
families of children who already on the run, or volunteer at a shelter.
Resources in the state include the Wisconsin Association for Homeless and
Runaway Services in Madison. Pathfinders, in Milwaukee, provides guidance
and support for struggling youth through its four initiatives: housing
& shelter, education, family engagement and youth empowerment. The
National Runaway Safeline is a 24/7 federally
designated, anonymous hotline that provides non-judgmental support to
youth across the country. For more information contact http://pathfindersmke.org/ or https://www.1800runaway.org/
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Happy
Thanksgiving!
On behalf of Team Taylor, my staff and I would like to wish everyone a wonderful
Thanksgiving! As the many interns in my office prepare to travel from
Green Bay to California, and many places in between, I am reminded of how
much I looked forward to going home for the break. The demands of school,
work and daily living is all consuming. Many of us need to recharge,
re-center, and get a reality check about what is important. This is
holiday is usually the start of that reflection. As you spend time with
your birth family, chosen family, or those that are important to you, we know
that there are neighbors who may be having a difficult time.
I spent last weekend at my church, working with others to provide food
baskets. The fellowship, laughter, and nods of gratitude were
overwhelming. The importance of connecting with family, with one another
cannot be understated. If your schedule permits, I encourage you to
lend a hand a hand at a local food pantry or meal program. If time
doesn’t permit, then consider a financial contribution to help a family
have a healthy dinner. And if you or someone you know is without shelter
and needs a meal this Thanksgiving, or would like to volunteer, please
see the list below:
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