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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
Permitless
Carry Advances
This week, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public
Safety, of which I am a member, took up a bill regarding permitless
carry. Once
again, the Wisconsin GOP is not thinking about potential consequences and
are going against the wishes of the people. An incredible 91 percent of
Wisconsinites support permits, training, and background checks as part of
a gun owner’s responsibility to conceal carry into shared public spaces.
Permitless carry, under Senate Bill 169, not only removes training and
the requirement of permits as a condition to conceal carry, but also
eliminates the prohibition against carrying a firearm onto school
grounds, jails, and mental health facilities. Instead, the burden is now
on schools and other public places to post signage prohibiting firearms.
I voted
against the bill and stood with the 91 percent of Wisconsinites who want
to keep training and permits as requirements for gun ownership. I
understand the duty and the right to carry for protection, recreation,
and any other legal purpose. I voted for concealed carry permits back in
2011 and earlier this year, I co-authored a bill to allow high schools to
offer an elective course in firearm education. I supported both of these
measures because I believe training and education is necessary,
responsible, and in accordance with the Second Amendment, which includes
the important but often forgotten phrase “well-regulated.” Moving
forward, I will continue to fight for legislation that respects the right
to bear arms and our duty to ensure public safety.
Huber
Release Bill Unanimously Approved
On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee voted 5-0 in
favor of my bill that expands Huber release. Huber release allows for
individuals to be temporarily released for “employment-related activities
and medical care.” Those eligible for the Huber release should include
non-criminal probation violators who were originally convicted of
misdemeanors. Our country, and more specifically the state of Wisconsin,
is more interested in punishment than corrections. This approach is
neither sustainable nor effective, as Wisconsin’s prison population is
projected to reach record highs in the next two years. Since 2015,
corrections has cost state and local taxpayers around $1.5 billion
annually, and we spend more on corrections than our landmark University
of Wisconsin System. The Huber release bill has bipartisan support
because it’s clear that employment provides opportunities for growth,
self-dependency, and reduced recidivism. I hope you all share my
excitement in this step towards improving upon our state’s corrections
programs.
DOJ
Draft Report Leads to More Questions 
Last
week, I had an opportunity to address local elected officials regarding
the draft report prepared by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
concerning a review of the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). After
members of the community were furious when federal prosecutors declined
to charge the MPD officer in the fatal shooting of Dontre Hamilton, Chief
Ed Flynn requested the report in 2015, and the findings had been long
anticipated. The draft report was filled with questionable practices regarding officer
discipline, community policing, and racial inequity in substantiating
claims of police misconduct; it was challenged by Chief Flynn for some of
its conclusions. However, we have learned that there may have been
multiple drafts of the report. It is unclear which is the most
recent or correct version and we lack of clarity on why there are
conflicting results between reports; one had reported on failure to
engage in community policing, excessive stop and frisk actions in
targeted neighborhoods, and a lack of accountability among MPD policy.
Another draft stated there were no major discrepancies in practice found
in these areas.
The
DOJ has since halted the review of MPD’s patterns and practices because
of the decision to change its program from focusing on improving trust
between police and communities to helping law enforcement fight crime.
This is the most frustrating part of the situation, as the City of
Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin must remain committed to ensuring
fair and equal application of the law. I look forward to the
continued work to improve trust, accountability and cooperation between
residents and area police.
Page
for a Day Experience
Last Tuesday, I was pleased to meet senior
Ethan Pankow from Milwaukee St. Lutheran High School, who participated in
the “Page for A Day” program sponsored by the State Senate Sergeant at
Arms Office. As a part of this program, Ethan had the opportunity to
serve as a page during the full Senate session, helping in the delivery
of important messages and information to different Senators throughout
the Capitol. This program is vital to helping young individuals discover
not only more about the democratic and legislative process, but also
about how state government functions. Now more than ever, it is critical
that all students not only have an understanding of the workings of the
government, but also feel that they can participate in the democratic
process. By providing this opportunity, we can create a government that
is truly by the people, for the people.
Senate
Scholars Application Open
I
am truly excited to announce the opening of the Senate Scholars 2018
application. Sponsored by the State Senate’s Legislative Education and
Outreach Office, the Senate Scholars program is a week-long, educational
program in which 33 exceptional high school juniors and seniors have a
chance to gain first-hand experience in the legislative process. They
have the unique opportunity to staff the Senate floor during session
while witnessing legislative debates. Students will also draft their own
bills and amendments, create mock committees, and elect mock committee
leadership. This rewarding experience is a highly competitive
program designed to engage scholars in state affairs. Previous Senate
Scholars have continued their chance to be a part of the political
process, returning to the Wisconsin State Capitol to work as interns,
pages and staff. In fact, in previous years, Senate Scholars have
returned to my office to work as summer interns. For more information regarding
this remarkable and educational program, please contact Dr. Tammy Wehrle
at (608) 261-0533 or visit www.legis.wisconsin.gov/ssgt/senatescholar.
Peer
Support to Formerly Incarcerated Citizens:
A
representative from my office attended the first Empowerment Learning
luncheon, hosted by the Grassroots Empowerment Project. This group is a
statewide non-profit organization, dedicated to providing peer support
and rehabilitation services for formerly incarcerated citizens. Given my
dedication to reducing the negative effects of incarceration, I was very
interested in this organization’s goals and issues with the systems
currently in place. Guest speaker Dr. Pamela Keye gave a comprehensive idea
on the issues that formerly incarcerated citizens face, and that the
solutions lie in those closest to the issue. Their dedication to mental
health, wellness, and recovery of all kinds is exemplified in their
programs and services. For more information about the Grassroots
Empowerment Project, visit their website at www.grassrootspower.org
HBCU
College Fair!
Working
on education access has always been one of my main priorities. On October
7th, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities will be
hosting a College Fair in the Milwaukee area at Harold S. Vincent High
School. This is a great way for students, especially students of color,
to explore their future options for continuing their education. There are
so many resources to utilize, including panel discussions, FAFSA
educational sessions, the College Access Center, the Pre-College Program
information, and scholarship information. Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCU) has been serving black communities since 1964 until
today, promoting non-discriminatory education access. I encourage all
students to use this fair as a resource for learning more about their
higher education options. For more information regarding the HBCU College
Fair, visit http://pathwaysmilwaukee.org/events/hbcu-college-fair/
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