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, so if there's anything my office can do to assist you, please feel free to contact us.
In Service,
Senator Lena Taylor
Wisconsin's 4th Senate District
Governing Magazine Interview
Senator Taylor had an interview with Governing Magazine. In creating a profile for the Senator as a part of the Women in Government Leadership Class of 2019, the interview centered on how she got into politics in the first place, what some of her goals for the future might be, and what advice she’d give other women looking to get into this career track. While it was fun for the Senator to think back on the different issues she has tackled over the years, it was also a humbling reminder of all the work that still needs to be done. Senator Taylor enjoyed the chance to share some of her experiences and is hopeful that she said something that would inspire more young women to consider running for office, or working in a legislative position. Currently women hold 22% of state senate seats and 26% of state assembly seats. In the U.S. Senate they hold 22 of the 100 seats and 83 of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives.
EXPO Meeting
Senator Taylor met with representatives from EXPO (EX-incarcerated People Organizing) to discuss Senator Taylor’s corrections reform agenda and what the organization would like to see done going into next legislative session. EXPO, created in 2014, is a statewide organization led by previously incarcerated men and women. The organization helps re-entering residents by connecting them to resource providers. EXPO also leads lobbying campaigns that have prompted policy makers to expand funding for treatment alternatives and transitional job programs, reduce the use of solitary confinement, and lead towards a more fair justice system for current or formerly incarcerated peoples.
Specifically, Senator Taylor spoke to EXPO about bringing the 2009 Voter Restoration Bill back to the table, which would ensure all people the right to vote following incarceration, no matter the parole or supervision terms yet to be completed. They also discussed EXPO’s desire to close the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility, where most of those detained are there due to “revocation” – meaning that people can be sent back to prison by the act of violating the “Rules of Supervision” alone. Any of these actions contemplated during this meeting would mean a step towards the end of mass incarceration by breaking down systemic barriers that often impede residents successful release.
Wisconsin State Capitol
Black and Latino Caucus
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Black and Latino Caucus met to discuss the upcoming legislative session. The meeting primarily focused on introducing and welcoming new members and discussing the caucus' purpose and priorities moving forwards. The group collaborates on a number of events to include the Capitol’s Black History Month celebrations, forums and special events. The caucus was please to host a forum on the State of Black and Brown Wisconsin and looks forward to their continued work to address the concerns of minority communities.
Study Committee on Tribal Relations
The Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations held its second meeting, to consider the legislative options available for implementing requirements to learn more about American Indian Studies in grades K-12. A quality education is imperative for our children. It is important to ensure our children receive accurate information about the Native Tribes of our state and our history with them as settlers on this continent. A case for enhancing criminal penalty for battery of certain tribal court personnel was also reviewed and action will be discussed in the upcoming meetings. The committee members concluded the meeting by discussing and gathering additional information about issues between tribes and counties regarding civil commitments and offered up legislative changes, such as Senator Taylor and Rep. David Bowen’s call to action for an Indigenous People’s Day legislation.
School Trust Funds Study Committee Meeting
This week's meeting with the Study Committee on the Investment and Use of School Trust Funds was the third meeting since the Committee formed, and the progress definitely shows. Senator Taylor’s staff met with the attorneys from the Legislative Council prior to the meeting to discuss more about what issues the committee should zero-in on as it enters the second half of meetings. Senator Taylor believes the School Trust Funds, which are distributed to public schools yearly and are maintained by the investment decisions of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, need to be protected. The School Trust Funds provide not just valuable financial assistance to the public school system, but also almost exclusively supplies the money that keeps public school libraries functioning. Senator Taylor looks forward to the continued work and final recommendations of the committee.
Intern Spotlight: Deva Nelson
This week’s intern spotlight is on Deva Nelson! Deva, originally from Round Rock, Texas (a suburb of Austin), is in her last semester at UW-Madison and finishing a dual degree in Life Science Communication and Gender and Women’s Studies. After graduating in December, Deva wants to use her degrees to advocate for women’s health needs while helping enforce diversity and inclusion in work environments. For her last hurrah at UW-Madison, she could not think of a better way to combine her communications background and passion for equality than working in Senator Taylor’s office.
Deva’s favorite part about working in Senator Taylor’s office so far is not knowing exactly what is going to be happening when she walks through the door, but knowing that positive change will be made with every constituent phone call, meeting, and email that goes out. As difficult as it can be to keep up with all the politics in the news these days, Deva wanted to make sure she was involved in our democracy in a positive way. And I can tell you from working with her, she is one of the most optimistic people you could hope to meet. When she isn’t in the office, playing trumpet in the UW Marching Band takes up most of her free time. After graduating, Deva will be working for Dell Computers in their Diversity and Inclusion Division starting in February. Best of Luck Deva! You will be missed.
School Trust Funds Study Committee Meeting
Communications Intern: Deva Nelson
Corrections Visits
Community Action Alerts
Diversity and Inclusion Training Workshop
Cream City Conservation will be hosting a diversity and inclusion training workshop on Wednesday, October 17th, from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. In the workshop participants will learn a variety of things including:
How to establish common language and organizational aspirations around diversity, equity and inclusion.
How to build community trust by elevating the voice of traditionally marginalized populations.
Increase confidence among staff to navigate difficult internal and community conversations related to societal inequities.
Receive a framework for embedding equitable and inclusive recruitment and retention strategies to increase workforce diversity and innovative problem solving.
More Than 100 New Affordable Apartments at Harambe Development
Two redevelopment projects in historic underutilized and vacant buildings are bringing new residents to a North Side neighborhood experiencing significant growth.
Community leaders, investors and neighbors recently celebrated the official opening of the Welford Sanders Historic Lofts and Enterprise Center and the neighboring Fifth Street School Apartments, both newly redeveloped in historic buildings in the Harambee neighborhood. Together they bring 107 new apartments, 95 percent of which are offered at reduced rates based on income.
The 10th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival has arrived! More than 300 films, dozens of special guests, seven world premieres, parties for days—this one’s got it all. This year, we’re celebrating a decade of bringing the community together through film.
Join us October 18 to November 1, 2018 as we screen more than 300 films, engage with dozens of filmmakers, host tons of events, and spark countless conversations among friends and film buffs in the community.
Some of the most critically acclaimed films shown at the Milwaukee Film Festival in years past are available online.
Quote of The Week “As we reflect on the adventurers throughout history who charted new courses and sought new heights, let us remember the communities who suffered, and let us pay tribute to our heritage and embrace the multiculturalism that defines the American experience"-Barack Obama.
