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'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
Madison Office: (608)-266-5810
Milwaukee Office: (414)-342-7176
Women's World Cup Victory
In some sporting news, the US Women’s National Team defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the World Cup on Sunday, successfully defending their championship from four years ago and marking the fourth time the team has taken home the prestigious trophy. Many observers have used the newfound star power of the team to highlight issues of gender equality, especially in comparison to the less-successful but better paid US men’s team. One of the two goal-scorers in the final match was Rose Lavelle, a former UW Badger from 2013-2016 and fast rising star for the US Women’s National Team. As a Badger she was named freshman of the year in 2013 and a first team all-American as a junior. Congratulations Rose!
ICE Migrant Detention Centers
Over the past several weeks concerns have grown to an all-time high surrounding the conditions of ICE’s Migrant Detention Centers, which some have begun to call internment camps. A large influx of migrants being apprehended by border officials have over-crowded facilities to dangerous levels, and people are being held for multiple months at a time. Of special concern is the treatment of children, who are still being separated from their families and subjected to horrifying experiences that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. We can only hope that Congress and the President will tone down the xenophobic and cruel immigration policies currently in place, and can find a way to put an end to this national disgrace.
Camp Umoja Speaking Event
Senator Taylor spoke at Camp Umoja. Sponsored by Unity in Motion, Camp Umoja is a free summer camp for kids in the Milwaukee area. In order to empower young people towards achieving their goals in education and employment, the camp chooses a core principal each week and through activities helps children gain a stronger understanding of that principal. In their 4th work, campers were learning about Economics and Entrepreneurship, a topic that Senator Taylor was thrilled to speak on. As she spoke, Senator Taylor highlighted the importance of confidence and organization when it came to launching and running a new business, while also addressing the need to find a niche, and provide a product members of your community are more likely to seek out. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and speak with the children that will lead our city sooner than we think!
Van Jones Redemption Project
Senator Taylor attended a town hall in the community and organized by the Van Jones Redemption Project, a bipartisan criminal justice initiative founded by CNN political commentator Van Jones. At the town hall, there was a screening of the Redemption Project followed by a discussion on criminal justice reform in Wisconsin. Corrections reform in Wisconsin and across our country has been one of Senator Taylor’s biggest priorities for as long as she can remember, and it’s something she actively fights for on a daily basis. Whether it’s the biased sentencing of African American men, the treatment of those facing incarceration, or high rates of recidivism, the problems identified in our state’s Department of Corrections and widespread, and if we don’t address them now, who will? As a member of the Juvenile Corrections Grant Committee, Senator Taylor has been proud to speak on behalf of her community to ensure that young people in particular are given opportunities to improve themselves while in juvenile facilities. When it comes down to it, corrections should be about rehabilitation, not deprivation, and an ideal correctional facility should aim to shut itself down.
Urban Agriculture Conference
On Wednesday, Senator Taylor travelled to Ames, Iowa to attend the 2019 Urban-Ag Academy Conference. Senator Taylor was excited to learn more about urban agriculture and get to discuss what Milwaukee has been implementing. Workshops included such topics as entrepreneurship, state hemp issues, biofuels, food systems, the farm bill and tariffs, and more. Attendees also toured a wind energy farm and also Summit Farms.
NCLGS Conference
Following the Urban Ag Academy, Senator Taylor travelled to Minneapolis for the summer meeting of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS). Legislators from across the country met to discuss gambling, lottery laws, casinos, and other gaming law issues. Senator Taylor enjoyed learning more about these issues and getting to view discussion panels with multiple viewpoints.
Community Action Alerts
Water Meter Replacement Program
The Milwaukee Water Works is replacing residential water meters in Milwaukee, Greenfield, Hales Corners, St. Francis, and West Milwaukee during the next several years
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin requires utilities to make sure meters are working properly and producing accurate readings for billing. We are currently replacing meters for residential and small business customers as their working life and battery power run out.
The replacement affects single family homes and dwellings of four and fewer units, and small businesses in Milwaukee, Greenfield, Hales Corners, St. Francis, and West Milwaukee. These communities are retail customers of the utility and for whom we provide water, system maintenance, and billing.
Scam Artists: Be Aware of Impostors Posing as Utility Employees
Per the City of Milwaukee: We frequently hear from customers who say men and women posing as water utility employees have asked to check on a water meter, have offered a rebate, or have said they need to check on something in the house. But Milwaukee Water Works service calls are arranged and scheduled in advance. There may be a cold-call without an appointment for a meter exchange, but then the utility employee would arrive in a City of Milwaukee marked vehicle and present identification before asking to enter a building or home.
Milwaukee Water Works employees always show an identification card with their photo when approaching a customer for business.
You Are Not Required to Purchase Water or Sewer Line Insurance
A company named Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) is mailing a series of letters to property owners in our area demanding a response within 30 days as it tries to sell "water service line insurance." The City of Milwaukee does not require or endorse this type of product.
Here are the first letter and follow-up letter, and the brochure SLWA mailed in August 2018. SLWA mailed the second of a three-part mailing in November 2018 and plans another in February 2019 selling insurance for sewer laterals.
The water service line connects the water main in the street to your property. A sewer lateral pipe connects the large collector sewer in the street to your property. The section of the water service line and the section of the sewer lateral connected at your property belong to the property owner. Repair and maintenance of both are the responsibility of the property owner.
