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
Atwater School Visit
On Monday, October 14th, Senator Taylor visited Atwater Elementary School to talk with 4th grade students about the make-up of state government. Senator Taylor also spoke about what she does on a day-to-day basis in legislature and her experiences as a Wisconsin state senator.
Indigenous People's Day
On Monday, October 14th, Senator Taylor attended the Renaming Ceremony of Columbus Park to Indigenous Peoples Park. Sen. Taylor originally introduced legislation in 2015 to have the state observe Indigenous People’s day in lieu of Columbus Day. Now that history has revealed that Columbus actually never made it to America, municipalities and states around the nation are rethinking the annual observance. The ceremony, held on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, was in honor of Native American communities indigenous to Wisconsin. The event was hosted and led by students from the Indian Community School (ICS). Elected officials shared remarks about Indigenous Peoples’ Day and what it stands for.
Committee on Insurance, Financial Services, and Government Oversight
Senator Taylor attended a public hearing for the Committee on Insurance, Financial Services, and Government Oversight on Tuesday, where the committee heard testimonies on SB 482 and SJR 59. While SB 482 made various changes to insurance laws, SJR 59 is a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the veto powers of Governor Tony Evers. This amendment, which Senator Taylor strongly opposes, is the latest installment in the ongoing conservative efforts to undermine the power and vision of Governor Evers. The proposition would restrain the governor from using his partial veto to override the Republican legislature’s vicious budget cuts and carry out the promises that got him duly elected to the office, including ethically funding Wisconsin’s school system. This hardline action against executive power—which Republicans didn’t seem to view as an issue when Scott Walker held the Governorship—is just another battle in the Republican Party’s ongoing war against investing in the needs, health, and future of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Association of Justice Event
Thursday evening Senator Taylor attended the Wisconsin Association of Justice’s reception. The Wisconsin Association of Justice is Wisconsin’s largest voluntary bar organization focused on promoting a fair justice system. Through their efforts, they work to maintain high competency and ethics standards within the judicial system and their members. The group held their 2019 Justice Dinner.
NAACP Freedom Fund
On Friday, Senator Taylor attended the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Milwaukee branch Annual Freedom Fund Dinner. The event supports the NAACP’s mission to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
Virtual Dementia Tour
On Tuesday, October 15, various members of Senator Taylor’s office participated in a virtual dementia tour experience. The event was intended to raise awareness among policymakers and their staffs regarding the challenges associated with this illness. Members were instructed to wear different equipment such as gloves, soles, and glasses, to simulate obstacles that people with dementia may experience. After completing a number of seemingly simple tasks, attendees learned first-hand the frustrations of patients and caregivers battling Dementia. Staff and legislators appreciated the opportunity understand how policy decisions that are ill informed can impact constituents.
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.
The Deconstruction Ordinance that went into effect at the beginning of 2018 has been updated. Until March 1st 2020 the enforcement of the ordinance to deconstruct one-to-four unit structures will be stayed. The purpose of this ordinance was to reduce waste produced from demolitions and decrease landfill fees for taxpayers.
"I try to remind people that there are a lot of good people, all colors. Then there's some bad ones, too. But there's a lot of good people who really care." - Elijah Cummings
