Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Colleagues to Prevent College Students from Being Billed For Textbooks Without Their Consent
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined her colleagues Dick Durbin (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) in sending a letter to the Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging him to finalize proposed changes that would make “Inclusive Access” (IA) and “Equitable Access” (EA) programs – models that allow institutions of higher education to automatically charge a student’s federal student aid for textbooks without a student’s consent – into an opt-in program, rather than an opt-out program. Currently, colleges and universities can partner with textbook publishers like McGraw Hill, Pearson, and Cengage to deliver textbooks digitally, charging students in the process through IA and EA programs. Although IA and EA models are more affordable for students than the sticker price of a new, hardcover textbook, they are often still more expensive than open textbooks, used textbooks or rental options. And while students can opt-out of IA and EA programs, the opt-out process is often difficult to navigate and lacks transparency. “The Department’s proposed changes to the Cash Management regulations would eliminate an institution’s ability to automatically bill students for books and supplies, effectively shifting the textbook industry’s so-called ‘Inclusive Access’ and ‘Equitable Access’ programs from an opt-out model to an opt-in model. This would allow students to choose how to spend their financial aid dollars on books and supplies. It would empower them to take advantage of affordable alternatives, such as used and open textbooks,” the lawmakers wrote. Senator Smith helped introduce the Affordable College Textbook Act and the Open-Textbook Pilot Program. The Pilot is a competitive grant program to support the creation and expansion of open college textbooks
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Efforts to Address the Rural EMS Crisis with Statewide Tour
MINNESOTA [4.16.24] – As access to emergency medical services continues to be a top issue for leaders in the Minnesota State Legislature, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) has been active in working toward federal solutions to the crisis. She and her staff have held meetings across Minnesota, from Hibbing to Barnesville, Blackduck, and New Richland, where local EMS leaders conveyed that first responders are in dire financial straits. Senator Smith has been urging Congress to act on this crisis and is an original cosponsor of a bill to provide Medicare reimbursement for care provided by EMS when no transportation to the hospital is provided, called the Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care and Support (EMS ROCS) Act. Senator Smith stressed that joint efforts with state and local governments will be essential to fully address this crisis and is committed to ensuring all Minnesotans can live safe and healthy lives wherever they choose to live. In recent years, several states have passed laws to make EMS an essential service – Minnesota is not one of them, meaning the state government isn’t required to fund them. At the Minnesota State Legislature, there is a bipartisan EMS Task Force that is working to address the EMS crisis at the state level. “Everyone deserves a timely, fully equipped response in times of crisis. EMS workers also deserve a fair and decent wage, regardless of where they live,” said Senator Smith. “While the Minnesota Legislature continues to work toward state solutions, I’m going to keep pushing
Klobuchar, Smith, Craig Announce Federal Funding for Fleming Field Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Representative Angie Craig (D-MN), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the South St. Paul Municipal Airport (Fleming Field) a grant of more than $3.4 million for infrastructure improvements. “Critical investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state and country,” Klobuchar said. “By investing in Fleming Field, we are supporting the economy of the region and enhancing public safety.” “Fleming Field is a small but mighty airport in South St. Paul that supports hundreds of local jobs,” Smith
Klobuchar, Smith, McCollum Announce Federal Funding for Lake Elmo Airport Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Lake Elmo Airport a grant of $3.6 million for infrastructure improvements. “Critical investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state and country,” Klobuchar said. “By investing in the Lake Elmo Airport, we are supporting the economy of the region and enhancing public safety.” “Lake Elmo Airport is a key transportation hub and economic driver for the community,” Smith said. “It’s great to see the Department of Transportation
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith & Ben Sasse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Credit Union Employee & Member Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/20/21]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) introduced bipartisan legislation to make credit unions safer for employees and members. The Credit Union Employee and Member Safety Act of 2021 would simplify the expulsion process for credit union members who engage in unacceptable, sometimes dangerous behavior, while preventing unfair expulsions. Minnesota credit unions have shared stories of members who have robbed credit unions, smashed ATMs, and sexually harassed tellers. Despite this unacceptable behavior, it can be difficult for credit unions to expel these members. That is because current law requires the credit union to call a vote of membership to expel a member,
U.S. Senators Tina Smith & Patty Murray, U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene Unveil Legislation to Support Sustainable Workplace Retirement Plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [5/20/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA 1) introduced legislation in the Senate and House to provide legal certainty to workplace retirement plans that choose to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in their investment decisions or offer ESG investment options. Despite considerable demand for sustainable investment options, relatively few workplace retirement plans, such as pensions and 401(k) plans, take sustainable investing principles into account in their investment decisions or provide sustainable investment options to workers. One of the primary issues hindering plans that want to offer sustainable
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