Newsmakers: Sen. Lena Taylor (D) on Senate Finance Committee
In her first extensive interview since becoming Co-Chair of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, Democratic Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee said she will work first to try to get Republican leaders to work with her on jobs, health care and drought-related issues before the Nov. 6 elections. But, Taylor added, if Republicans won't agree to go beyond the basic, bill-paying functions of the Joint Finance Committee between now and Nov. 6, she will not hesitate to convene the Senate Finance Committee to consider those issues. Not used since 2008, the Senate Finance Committee is made up of six Democrats and two Republicans. Taylor said she does not expect the Senate Finance Committee to recommend repeal of the 2011 "Act 10" changes that all but eliminated the ability of most public employees to collectively bargain, however.
