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
Garfield Days
Senator Taylor was excited to attend the 2019 Garfield Days. This annual neighborhood festival in Milwaukee has been a summertime staple for the last 19 years running. The Senator enjoyed seeing live music, bands, and talent shows, and eating the food provided by local vendors. The festival attracts over 20,000 patrons every year, 150 local vendors, and spans six blocks over two days. Although it rained, it was great to see festival faithfuls stay through the showers. If you missed out, mark it on your calendars for next year!
WAAL Law Students & Lawyers Event
The Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers held their inaugural end of summer networking event for minority law students. Senator Taylor attended the event. She was happy to meet with the students and other attorneys. It was a great event gives chance for students to meet lawyers and gain valuable connections for their future careers.
Unlock the Vote Press Conference
On Wednesday, Senator Taylor, along with her colleagues Representative Emerson and Representative Crowley, held a press conference to announce their Unlock the Vote legislation. The bills being introduced were LRB 1552 Unlock the Vote, and LRB 3567 the Prison Gerrymandering Elimination Act. The Senator is extremely passionate about restoring voting rights to those who have completed their sentence but are still on parole or supervision. LRB 1552 would allow for this, restoring voting rights back to approximately 65,000 Wisconsinites. Prison-based gerrymandering” is a practice whereby Wisconsin and local governments count incarcerated persons as residents of the areas where they are housed when election district lines are drawn.
ACLU Summer Justice Institute
The ACLU invited Senator Taylor to speak at their annual Summer Justice Institute. This institute is for high school students interested in civil rights and social justice issues. Over the course of two weeks, students receive invaluable training on research, advocacy skills, training and more. Senator Taylor spoke to a large group about her work, how she got started, and what motivates her. The Senator deeply values the work done by the ACLU of Wisconsin and appreciates their efforts to educate and motivate the next generation of change-makers.
A-LEGO Conference
Over the weekend, the Senator will attend the A-LEGO Conference. A-LEGO, African American Ladies Empowered to Grow Opportunities, held this conference and had multiple panels over the weekend. Senator Taylor spoke on the panel entitled “2020 Vision: Making the Budgets Work for People of Color”. This panel was intended to address how 2020 state and local budgets will impact current efforts aimed at bridging racial disparities within the criminal justice system. Senator Taylor will discuss her Love and Faith initiative, focusing on urban agriculture in Milwaukee.
Water Filtration Tour
As her exceptionally busy week continued, Senator Taylor made her way to the Capitol for a floor vote on several bills alongside her colleagues in the Senate. Senator Taylor voted against SB 239, known as the Small Cell Bill. The bill, which would remove local control over the construction of 5G cell towers, poses some issues for Senator Taylor, the main one being the continuous erosion of local control. The City of Milwaukee has been expressing concerns alongside Senator Taylor for some time, such as operational challenges that favor large companies over local leaders and the communities they represent. Unfortunately, the bill received enough support from other legislators to pass, but Senator Taylor still intends to fight for local control wherever she can. Additionally, Senator Taylor voted against several bills aimed at reducing women’s healthcare by obstructing their access to abortions, and promulgating false information about the operation. Senator Taylor has always believed that a person is entitled to make their own decisions when it comes to their body, and there’s nothing that will stop her from fighting for that right.
Intern Spotlight: Eliza
Last summer, while serving the Milwaukee Community, Officer Charles Irvine Jr. gave the ultimate sacrifice. It’s been a year since Officer Irvine Jr. was tragically lost in the line of duty, but for Milwaukee, he will live on in spirit forever. Senator Taylor was honored to add her voice to all those commemorating his legacy at a Press Conference during which a plaque was erected in his honor, on the 76th Street Bridge over West Silver Spring Drive. During his time serving as member of the Milwaukee Police Department, Officer Irvine Jr., known as Chuckie, was known for his exceptional work in community policing, which included mentoring a young boy whose brother had been killed. Its people like Chuckie who continue to heal our city, and Senator Taylor will always remember the many sacrifices he made in the pursuit of building a better Milwaukee for us all.
Happy Birthday to Senator Taylor!
We hope you'll join us in wishing Senator Taylor a Happy Birthday! The Senator celebrated her birthday this past Thursday amongst friends and family and looks forward to another year of serving the people of Milwaukee.
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 followup 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.
