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
Women in Ag. Conference
National Women In Agriculture Association (NWIAA) was founded and established February 2008 by Ms. Tammy Gray-Steele; who is the Executive Director. The organization is headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK. NWIAA is an agriculture outreach, fueled by sisterhood and diversity. NWIAA believes rural minority women have been often neglected; the lack of resources has stagnated rural development. NWIAA is the first minority woman owned and operated organization that provides innovative outreach education that attracts and sustains current and future generations with its innovative, spiritual, and USDA certified education techniques.
We have worked hand and hand with Tammy Gray-Steele for many years and is please to announced we now have a formal chapter in Wisconsin. Wisconsin joins 45 other states in do great things in agriculture, especially with the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018.
This past week the Wisconsin Chapter joined forces with Ms. Tammy Gray-Steele and chapters from all over the country to meet with congressional representatives and received important data and information from USDA. We met with members from both sides of the aisles; because we have to all come together to work on food insecurities and food deserts touches us all. Pictured is Senator Taylor meeting with Kate Hudson, Legislative Assistant for Congressman Mark Pocan, 2nd District who sits on the Agriculture Committee.
Utilities and Housing Public Meeting
The public hearing held by Committee on Utilities and Housing this past week. The hearing was a confirmation hearing for Governor Tony Evers’ nominee as chair of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, Rebecca Valcq.
For the most part, the questions focused on the future, but Wisconsin’s top utility regulator wouldn’t say what it might cost consumers to meet Gov. Tony Evers’ proposal to make the state’s electricity carbon-free but vowed Tuesday to seek creative ways to manage the transition to a clean energy economy. Across all consumer sectors, Wisconsin electricity rates are now the second-highest in the Midwest. Wisconsin was one of the earliest Midwest states to adopt a renewable portfolio standard in 2006. However, under Governor Walker, other Midwest states have blown Wisconsin out of the water in wind and solar development. Valcq was asked what her vision is to help Wisconsin catch up to our Midwest neighbors. Valcq, shared to the committee she sees her role as nonpartisan, she is hopeful that all parties can work together.
MSL Community Day
Senator Taylor attended Milwaukee School of Language’s Community Day. Milwaukee School of Languages offers language immersion programs in German, French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish. This unique program allows students to reach advanced levels of foreign language proficiency, aiding them in college and life. Community day focuses on fostering a discussion dedicated to learning different ways to strengthen school culture. The school encourages and values input form families, students, staff, business partners, and city leaders.
Forestry Meeting
Senator Taylor will be attending the LOVE & FAITH “Forestry Meeting” as a part of her LOVE & FAITH Initiative. The mission is to provide a network of hubs that will provide healthy living and working opportunities for families in Milwaukee County through agriculture and forestry. It focuses on public safety, health, education, workforce/innovation, and structure.
The “F” in LOVE & FAITH represents forestry. This year the Northcott Neighborhood House- Love & Faith Urban Arborist Pre-Apprenticeship Program received approval and will expose individuals looking to get a skill/job in urban forestry. Northcott Neighborhood House will be doing the urban arborist apprenticeship providing soft skills and job training with local forestry departments and businesses. This builds a pathway to family sustainable wage jobs for the future.
People Facing Homelessness Meeting
Senator Taylor is co-sponsoring LRB 1418: to participate in the Volunteer Health Care Provider program by agencies serving homeless individuals. This bill is a huge step forward in recognizing the value of free clinics offered to homeless individuals; it amends the problem of doctors who provide care who are deemed ineligible for the Volunteer Health Care Program (VHCP), which grants liability insurance.
As we all have traveled from city to city, the disturbing images of our citizens living under bridges, on the side of freeways and in abhorrent conditions is appalling in Wisconsin and America.
When we look at the inordinate number of homeless individuals in Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin is alarming. According to the 2015 census, there are 7,742 homeless people in the Milwaukee County (Homelessness MKE). While the number has dropped since 2015, there is still progress to be made.
Milwaukee has more homeless people than all other counties in Wisconsin (Homelessness MKE). Addressing this issue and the legal disparities established in the past that have affected where we stand today is a move in the right direction. No one in America should be homeless, Senator Taylor applauds those individuals and organizations that vow and work hard to work daily with homeless populations.
Roundtable: Trauma and How It Affects Black Women
• African American women experience disproportionately high rates of trauma. Interpersonal forms of trauma often make it much more difficult for trauma survivors to initiate and maintain positive, healthy relationships with others. • Exposure to childhood violence is linked to psychiatric disorders • Poverty, criminal justice involvement are the biggest risk factors for emergency department use among youth, which transcends to women • Childhood trauma link offers treatment hope for adults with schizophrenia • Disorder, disability or result of adverse childhood experience?
Senator Taylor will be attending a community discussion on “Trauma and How It Affects Black Women.” Conversations like this are important to have as Wisconsin is one of the worst states to be a black woman. Black women face many disparities, such as an increased risk of dying at a younger age and having a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing pregnancy-related complications. Join the dialogue, let’s work together to volunteer whenever and wherever you can to be the vessel for healing for others whom may have been traumatized.
Community Discussion on the State of African American Mental Health
Senator Taylor will also be attending a discussion on the state of African American mental health. Due to historical misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment, cultural biases against mental health professionals prevent many African Americans from accessing and seeking out mental health care. Furthermore, mental illness is frequently stigmatized and misunderstood in the African American community.
Community Action Alerts
Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II invites Milwaukee residents to attend the Washington Park Neighborhood Housing Resource Fair on Saturday, March 16 at Community Care, 3220 W. Vliet St. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will feature organizations and vendors. There will be information about home repairs, home repair grant applications, home advocacy and referrals, contractors, and much more.
In honor of Awareness for World Doula Month, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and Alderman Khalif J. Rainey urge Milwaukee residents to donate baby supplies for the event It Takes a Village: Community Baby Shower & Resource Fair. The baby shower and resource fair will be held at The Sherman Phoenix (3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave.) on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some recommended items of donation include diapers, baby blankets, hygiene kits, bibs, baby bottles, wipes, and other amenities. This is a wonderful opportunity to lend a helping hand to Milwaukee's expecting mothers.
