Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor Trump’s “zero-tolerance” family separation policy at the border has caused concern and repulsion for many while irreparably harming the lives of those effected. In a political climate that often seems saturated with turmoil and confusion it is important to remember that these policies have real and significant impacts. […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor The impact of Justice Kennedy’s Retirement Announcement The latest round of Supreme Court rulings and a pending retirement is enough to raise the anxiety level of most folks. Whether pro or con, the nation’s top court is about to change. The swing votes of retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor Tool of Oppression Sanctioned by Conservative Courts In 2016, Wisconsin turned red for the first time since 1984. The last Republican to win a presidential race in Wisconsin was Ronald Reagan. And with the election of Donald Trump, many political analysts were left asking “what just happened?”. Two […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor I became an attorney because I understood that there were disparities in the way communities of color were engaged by the criminal justice system. I ran for office because it became clear that the way to make systemic change was to have a seat at the table when […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor If we call the 911, will anyone come? At the risk of dating myself, I remember all too well the lyrics from the Public Enemy’s 1990 hit “911 Is A Joke”. I can hear Flava Flava’s voice clearly has he decried the lack of response to emergency calls […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor A while ago, I joined my Democratic colleagues on the state and federal level in expressing concerns about last year’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to repeal Net Neutrality rules. However, aside from the obvious reasons for alarm, I am also anxious about how this issue impacts social […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor Remembering the Legislative Legacy of Vel Phillips This weekend, like many from our community, I paid my respects to Velvalea Rodgers “Vel” Phillips. As I sat and listened to the many descriptions, stories and accomplishments that described the pint-sized warrior that lay beneath a spray of flowers, I […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor Washington Republicans H.R. 2 Makes Access to Food Even Worse Food should not be a bargaining chip, a carrot that we dangle to rev up our political base, or treated as something that it is optional. Republicans in Congress, clearly have another view and much of it is […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor A Rural and Urban Crop Last fall, Governor Walker signed SB 119 into law after it passed unanimously in the assembly and senate. The bill allows for the growing of industrial hemp, with proper licensing, in the state of Wisconsin after it had been outlawed for the last […]

Legislatively Speaking By Senator, Lena C. Taylor A Natural Pipeline to Address Diversity and Inclusion Needs of Wisconsin Recently, a consortium of educators, university staff, and key stakeholders came together to talk about the importance and creation of a pipeline of African-American college graduates into key employment sectors in Wisconsin. The event, which was hosted […]