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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
Shackling
Limitation Bill Receives Public Hearing
 On Thursday, in the Senate Judiciary
and Public Safety Committee, we discussed my shackling limitation bill,
which will limit how and when correctional officers may shackle
incarcerated women in labor. I was excited to hear and see the support
from medical groups such as the American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists and doula organizations. Since 2011, 40 incarcerated women
in Milwaukee County have been shackled during childbirth. In one such
case, a woman was shackled while giving birth for 21 hours. This is
harmful to both mother and child, as well as a drain on taxpayers for
avoidable legal expenses. My legislation is based on a 2015 Minnesota
bill that passed unanimously with the backing of law enforcement and the
Minnesota Department of Corrections. In addition to shackling
limitations, the bill provides maternal support services through doula
care and expands voluntary STI testing. Doula care has been shown to
reduce the need for costly c-section births by as much as 28 percent.
While expanded STI testing can reduce the instance of mother-to-child
transmissions. All of these measures can improve health outcomes, save
taxpayer dollars on health care, and mostly importantly – restore dignity
for these mothers.
Industrial
Hemp Bill Moves Forward
On Wednesday, in the
Agriculture and Small Business Committee meeting, we discussed and
unanimously passed SB 119 concerning industrial hemp that myself and a
number of my colleagues have been working on. This bipartisan piece of
legislation will require the Department of Agriculture, Trade and
Consumer Protection to issue licenses authorizing the growing and
processing of industrial hemp. It is a common misconception that this
bill would legalize marijuana, however, industrial hemp and marijuana are
different breeds, and hemp has no value as a recreational drug. What this
bill does do is create jobs, build up struggling communities and improve
our environment. There are significant economic and ecological benefits
from the use of industrial hemp. Products can be used as a substitute to
cotton or wood and an alternative fuel source. 
Additionally, the growth
potential for the Wisconsin economy is promising. According to one study,
the hemp industry in the United States was valued at $500 million in
2012. The ability to tap into this resource would have great benefits to
our state. There are also a number of environmental benefits associated
with growing it. Hemp can grow in a variety of soil types and climates
and is quite resilient to pests, making it an ideal crop for farmers. It
can also be grown with far fewer chemicals. It's time we join the other
33 states who have embraced the many benefits industrial hemp can provide
for communities across Wisconsin.
Three
Means a Riot
 On Thursday, in our Judiciary and
Public Safety Committee hearing, we discussed three bills regarding
"rioting." While I am against rioting and other acts of
violence, these bills – SBs 303, 304 and 305 – go too far and may
threaten the constitutional rights to free speech and assembly. Under
these bills, a riot can be as small a gathering as three or more persons.
When one or more persons commits or threatens violence, then everyone in
the gathering is part of a "riot" which is a felony offense.
This definition is simply
too broad, dangerous, and constitutionally questionable. It creates a
situation where everyone is punished for the acts or threats of a single
person. I can think of many gatherings where there are at least three
people, say a family picnic in a park. If a disagreement occurs, then is
everyone in the park vulnerable to being charged with rioting? Under the
bill, it appears the answer may be yes. I have said over and over again
that we cannot legislate from the hip. We need to be careful that the
bills that we introduce match our intent and does not create the ability
to be misunderstood. If we want to address arson or assault that may
occur in a demonstration, we already have laws for that. If we want to
address rioting, let's do so but let's do it in a reasonable and clear
way.
Urban
Ag. Summit Plans in Motion
On Friday, I am meeting
with stakeholders to plan an upcoming Urban Agriculture Summit. Some of
the participants include Employ Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau
Federation, and the Wisconsin Farmers' Union. Milwaukee has been
recognized for our work in urban agriculture. For instance, we have some
of the largest urban orchards in the country.
 I have always been a fighter for
urban agriculture and I will continue to promote its health and workforce
benefits. In the Senate, I along with Representative Ken Skowronski, have
introduced a resolution to proclaim October 6th as Urban Agriculture and
Manufacturing Day. Farming and growing is part of our Wisconsin heritage.
It is also part of our future. With the passage of the Hemp legislation
out of committee this week, I truly believe agriculture can be a pathway
for industry, manufacturing, and healthier communities.
Parole
Commission Troubles Continue
 On Thursday, Republican members of
the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety confirmed Daniel
Gabler as chairman of Parole Commission. Mr. Gabler, as chairman, will
have the final say in whether 3,000 individuals who were sentenced prior
to the 1998 Truth-in-Sentencing Law will be granted parole. When I
listened to Mr. Gabler's testimony back in August, I didn't hear any
differences that would separate Daniel Gabler from previous commission
chairs. He didn't address any new programming for those currently
incarcerated, nor did he mention the lack of staffing within the Parole
Commission and Department of Corrections. Furthermore, Mr. Gabler failed
to even mention the word 'redemption' until 70 minutes into his
testimony. Mr. Gabler fails to offer more ways to help individuals released
on parole to succeed in their new life. The fact that the GOP confirmed a
man who offered his own biases during his testimony by calling the
parolees he would hear "the worst of the worst", challenges me.
It is disheartening to know that Mr. Gabler's confirmation as the Chair
of the Parole Commission will ultimately not help returning citizens to
be the most successful they can be.
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