Taylor Dropped From Legislature’s Top Committee
Her own party’s leader removes state Sen. Lena Taylor pending probe of dispute with staff.
Lena Taylor. Photo from the State of Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Democrat Lena Taylor was removed Tuesday from the state’s powerful budget-writing committee following a dispute with one of her staff.
State Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, said she requested Taylor be removed from the Joint Finance Committee following the completion of an investigation into the conflict.
“No matter the workplace, we need to protect an employee’s right to bring forward concerns and ensure everyone is able to work in a safe, productive and welcoming environment,” Shilling said in a statement.
According to a statement from Taylor’s office, the senator and employee clashed over job requirements.
“The complaint was made by a disgruntled employee, who was both unable and in some cases unwilling to meet the requirements of the Madison based position,” Taylor said.
Taylor said the employee was paid $80,000 over nearly a year for a “no show, no work” policy that state Senate guidelines require be resolved in 80 days.
Taylor said she agreed with the action taken after the human resources investigation into the complaint, but was removed from the budget committee regardless.
Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, has been named as Taylor’s replacement on the committee.
Taylor has also made headlines in recent weeks for being cited by Milwaukee Police Department for using a racial insult in an altercation with a bank teller.
Listen to the discussion here.
Democrat Lena Taylor Removed From State Budget Committee was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Please resign, Senator Taylor. Your news conference during which you made claims of racism against MPD and ‘the media’ for reporting your alleged use of a racial slur, was embarrassing. Your constituents deserve to be represented by someone who knows how to behave in public, and treat people of all colors and creeds with respect.
I am a constituent of Sen. Taylor and had been a longtime supporter. She needs to apologize now. Her political capital has been greatly reduced and should face strong opposition in the next election.
She is “trash.” I would normally put a color ahead of the “trash” word, but I will not stoop to her level. Her performance and defiant attitude–with her posse behind her at her recent press conference– just goes to show you that the people she represents need to reconsider who they vote for next time. If I were to call her a negro, (or any other “N” ) word, I would lose my job. And if was recorded and broadcast by the media, she would be the first in line to say so and use it as evidence. African-Americans do not get a pass when it comes to using those terms. It’s not an exclusive club that makes it alright to talk to people like that. If it’s wrong for one, it is wrong for all. I cannot even use words like uppity, belligerent, or ignorant anymore without a red flag going up. She needs, at the very least, a time out, to tell her to act like a real adult in society and set an example.
DAG999, if you would “normally” put a color in front of the word trash, then you actually ARE at her level. Skipping it this one time doesn’t change that.
That said, I agree. What she said/implied to that bank teller was abhorrent and it doesn’t matter that they’re of the same ethnic background.