Ask Franklin residents what the issues are that get their blood boiling and they’ll probably answer taxes and sex predators.
Franklin families certainly remember the horrifying prospect just a few years ago when discussions were underway to target Franklin as the site in Milwaukee County for a facility to house numerous sexually violent persons.
Busloads of Franklin residents stormed a public hearing at State Fair Park to protest a special state committee’s thought of building the facility. Franklin was considered an ideal location, having the most open space in Milwaukee County.
The loud and strong stand by Franklin residents couldn’t be ignored. The special panel wrapped up its business without recommending any site in Milwaukee County for a sex predator house.
A flurry of activity ensued at the state Capitol. During the 2005 legislative session, Senator Mary Lazich authored Senate Bill 536, a key piece of legislation to kill funding for the facility for sexually violent persons and also disband the special committee assigned to find a location for the facility.
Senate Bill 536 was approved by the legislature and signed into law by the governor. State Senator Lena Taylor, who is running against Scott Walker for Milwaukee County Executive, voted against the bill. Taylor wanted to fund the facility. She wanted it built. She wanted it built in Milwaukee County. She would have had no problem with a facility in Franklin.
Taylor also voiced opposition to sending released sex offenders back to the communities where they came from, the fairest way to deal with sex offenders. Each community should be responsible for its own. Instead, Taylor would prefer locales like Franklin be the dumping ground for Milwaukee‘s criminals.
During the 2005 legislative session, Taylor voted against Assembly Bill 47 that provided there is no statute of limitation for prosecution of first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child. Under the bill, such a prosecution may be brought at any time.
The bill was approved and signed into law. Taylor sided with criminals and voted against the bill.
When she served on a special legislative Council Study Committee on Placement of Sex Offenders, Taylor spoke against requiring more frequent photographs of sex offenders being taken to be placed on the sex offender registry. Taylor argued it would be too difficult for the Department of Corrections. The DA’s, Taylor submitted, wouldn’t have enough time to prosecute offenders who didn’t have their pictures taken.
Taylor suggested that offenders be allowed to mail in their own photographs (like they can be trusted), and that they not be required to meet in person with their probation officer.
As for the tax issue, Taylor has voted with Senate democrats in favor of the largest tax increase in the history of the United States when she voted in favor of the Senate Democrats’ state budget proposal last session.
Franklin voters have a clear choice for Milwaukee County Executive: it’s Scott Walker.
