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
Juvenile Corrections Grant Committee Meeting
Senator Taylor started off her week at the Department of Corrections to attend the Juvenile Corrections Grant Committee meeting. The committee is required to submit a statewide plan for grants to counties to build Secure Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth (SRCCCY) to the Joint Committee on Finance. The committee received four (4) grant applications. These applications were received from Brown, Dane, Milwaukee, and Racine counties. The grant applications were reviewed based on a rubric corresponding to the criteria determined by the committee. These criteria included: Budget detail, narrative, cash match; Facility, geographical information; Assessment of resources and programming; Project narrative and project main summary; Implementation plan; Program sustainability; Evidence of local support; and Alignment with the Wisconsin Model for Youth Justice. For more information, visit
Judiciary and Public Safety Public Hearing
Senator Taylor joined fellow committee members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety to discuss a series of bills and to hear testimony from stakeholders and individual who might be affected by that legislation. Bills discussed this week included Senate Bill 50, which establishes guidelines for body cameras worn by law enforcement officers. Senator Taylor supports accountability and although body cameras are a good start. Senate Bill 50 takes further steps towards improving our justice system by subjecting body cameras to open records requests, which would make footage more openly available for investigation
Extreme Risk Protection Order Legislation
Across the country states are taking action to address gun violence in the form of red flag laws, legislation that would create stricter background checks for the purchase of guns or establish safer guidelines regarding who can possess a firearm. Senator Taylor joined Governor Evers, Representative Melissa Sargent, and Attorney General Josh Kaul to announce Wisconsin’s Extreme Risk Protection Order bill. The bill, authored by Senator Taylor and Representative Sargent, would allow judges to temporarily remove guns from an individual determined to be a threat to their own safety and/or the safety of those around them. Friends, family members, or colleagues are often the first ones who notice signs of mental health problems in someone, and under this legislation, they will have an avenue to do something when they see red flags. In the wake of mass shootings across the country, it’s more important than ever that we consider alternatives to gun policy, and Senator Taylor is confident that Wisconsinites are ready for new ideas. The best time to take action on gun violence was a long time ago, the second best time is now.
Senate Dems Caucus
The Senate has not met for session since June. In anticipation of upcoming sessions, Sen. Taylor met with her fellow Senate Democrats to discuss pending legislation that may come to the floor for a vote in October and November. Senator Taylor left the caucus meeting excited to continue pushing her vision for a more functional, equitable, and justice-driven Wisconsin!
Addressing the Nicotine Crisis
The sharp increase in youth vaping is a major concern of Senator Taylor. Already seven individuals have died nationwide from lung damage caused by vaping. This week, federal officials said that at least 530 people have become sick across the country due to vaping. In Wisconsin, at least 48 cases of vaping related illnesses have been reported, with another 13 under investigation. Electronic cigarette companies market their product as a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes (which evidence does not clearly support), but have been criticized for marketing to teenagers. In a WPR interview, Senator Taylor discussed the proposed Senate Bill 364, which would increase the age for purchasing tobacco and vapor products to 21. The bill has received bipartisan. With the sense of urgency surrounding vaping, Taylor is hopeful of swift legislation action on the bill.
Wisconsin's State of Education 2019
On Thursday Senator Taylor attended Wisconsin’s State of Education Address, led by State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor. In the address, Stanford Taylor called on legislators to acknowledge the ongoing achievement gap crisis. Disparities between groups defined by socioeconomic status, race, and gender, cannot be ignored and Senator Taylor was grateful to see our State’s Superintendent bring the conversation into the light at an event as big as the address. With $570 million added to education funding in the newest state budget, the Senator is hopeful that the Milwaukee Community will have more resources to provide students with the tools they need to succeed. Whether it’s the shortage of teachers, a lack of school supplies, or outdated materials, there are countless ways we can do better for Wisconsin’s young people. As your elected official, Senator Taylor guarantees she’ll continue doing the work to improve education, for all Wisconsinites.
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.