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
Rufus King Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Senator Taylor started her week off at the inaugural induction ceremony for Rufus King High School’s new Athletic Hall of Fame. As a proud King General, the Senator was thrilled to return to her alma mater for such an exciting event. The first class of inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame included athletes Orlando Palesse, Ben Lawrence, William Stewart, Robert Hackett, Donna Childs, Dan Stebbins, Moya Baylis, the members of the 1971 Rufus Men’s Basketball team. Also inducted was former athletic director/track and volleyball coach, Beverly Holmes. Rufus King has produced a number of graduates that have gone on to accomplish much and make great contributions to our country. There are four King graduates in the Wisconsin Legislature to include Taylor and Representatives Daniel Reimer, LaKeshia Myers and Kaylan Haywood II.
Black and Latino Address
In Madison Senator Taylor joined members of the legislature’s Black and Latino Caucus for their annual address and round table. In addition to caucus members, community leaders, advocates for progress, and other lawmakers took part in the important discussion regarding the issues facing our communities. The roundtable was split into several sections: criminal justice reform, immigration, employment, entrepreneurship, and transportation, health and mental health, and last but certainly not least, education. Speakers from a variety of backgrounds shared their experiences, discussed the challenges at hand, and talked about proposed solutions. Senator Taylor was thankful for the contributions of all attendees, and looks forward to working with them in the future to create long term responses to identified issues. If you’d like to share your personal experience and help us work towards improving our government for all its people, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.
Convention of States Proposal
On Thursday, Senator joined fellow Committee on Insurance, Financial Service, Government Oversight and Courts members for a public hearing. Although only 2 bills were on the agenda, the committee met for more than 5 hours. The proposal generating all the interest was SJR 57, which calls for a convention of the States for one or more Constitutional amendments restraining abuses of power by the federal government. All over the country, this endgame of this bill has shown up as either a need for a balanced federal budget, the need to limit the powers of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints on federal spending, and applying term limits for Members of Congress, or for amendments that would overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC. Senator Taylor opposes this legislation. To watch the full public hearing and learn more about the convention of states proposal, visit: https://wiseye.org/2019/10/03/senate-committee-on-insurance-financial-services-government-oversight-and-courts-2/
Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit
This Friday and Saturday, Senator Taylors office has a resource table at the 14th Annual Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit. The purpose of the event is to bring men, father’s and future father’s together to identify solutions and resources to support father’s in their role. With a goal of strengthening the knowledge and skills of fathers and caregivers in all communities to build strong pathways, leading to healthier families and father’s engagement in the lives of their children and families. The event runs today, October 4th and Saturday at MATC’s downtown campus. The summit is hosted on the 2nd Floor of 700 W. State Street, Milwaukee.
Committee on Utilities and Housing Presentation
Senator Taylor also attended an Informational Hearing for the Committee on Utilities and Housing on Thursday. In this hearing, she listened to testimony from Professor Kurt Paulson of UW-Madison Department of Urban & Regional Planning. The discussion centered on a new study on workforce housing titled “Falling Behind: Addressing Wisconsin’s Workforce Housing Shortage to Strengthen Families, Communities, and Our Economy.” In the presentation, Professor Paulson spoke about the consequences and causes of the housing shortage, which includes a lack of construction due to rising construction costs, as well as outdated land use regulations. Professor Paulson also outlined some possible solutions such as rebuilding and strengthening home ownership, and increasing housing options. Senator Taylor is interested in learning more about what we can do to catch up to our neighboring states, and was thankful for the opportunity to hear about some tangible policy solutions. Keep an eye out for policy update from our office moving forward!
2019 Milwaukee Film Festival
Finishing off her week, Senator Taylor will attend the Black Lens Kickoff Party. The Black Lens program will be previewing trailers of films that will be a part of the Milwaukee Film Festival later this month. Black Lens is a cultural pillar in the Milwaukee Film organization which brings in films by African-American filmmakers to highlight their stunning work. The program by Black Lens spotlights documentary and fiction films by both established and emerging African-American filmmakers to spark conversation in the community. Later this month over 350 films brought by Black Lens and other programs will be shown in the Milwaukee Film Festival as a way to engage and build the community.
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.
