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Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Funding to Modernize Public Transit in Native Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. [8.18.22] – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced that over $5.9 million in federal grants have been awarded to Tribal communities in Minnesota to upgrade and modernize their public transit systems. Specifically, the White Earth Nation will receive $3.6 million for new public transit facilities, the Prairie Island Indian Community will receive $1.6 million for electric buses, and $739,500 will go to the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa for low-emission buses and filling stations. “Investments in public transit help reduce traffic and make it easier for Minnesotans to get to school, work, and other destinations,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will make a real difference in Tribal communities across our state, modernizing buses and bolstering transit efficiency so residents can safely and reliably get around their community.” “Each day, transit systems connect Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities – all while reducing traffic congestion and pollution,” said Sen. Smith, Chair of the Senate Transit Subcommittee. “This funding will help modernize public transit in Tribal communities, while improving air quality and helping combat climate change. I am proud of our work to help make these grants more accessible for Tribal communities and will continue working to support public transportation across Minnesota.” “On behalf of myself and the other members of the RBC, we are proud to be one of the recipients of such a generous grant from the FTA,” said White Earth Reservation Business Committee (RBC) Chairman Michael Fairbanks. “Our goal is to always
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for New Transit Facility on the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Reservation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $9.5 million in federal funding, provided through USDOT’s RAISE grant program, to help the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa construct a new transit facility. This new facility will feature a non-traditional design to parallel park buses and maximize the use of the space. “Investments in public transit infrastructure make it easier for Minnesotans to get to school, work, and other destinations,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help modernize the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa’s transit infrastructure and boost transit efficiency, ensuring residents can safely and reliably get around their community.” “Infrastructure throughout Tribal Nations has historically been underfunded, making this investment especially important. This is going to improve Bois Forte Band of Chippewa’s transit system and help the community stay better connected to jobs, school, local businesses, and community gatherings for decades to come,” said Smith, who chaired the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs field hearing in Minnesota about investing in Tribal infrastructure earlier this summer. She also chairs the Transit Subcommittee. “I’m also excited to see the positive impact the new solar power system will have. Tribal Nations have long been leaders at protecting our environment and I’m glad we’re able to be a partner at the federal level to ensure this gets done.” These resources will also allow the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa to create a new bus wash, add a work bay equipped
Sen. Tina Smith Presses to Help Schools in Minnesota, Across the Country Hit Hard by Teacher Shortages
WASHINGTON D.C [07/09/18]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Education Committee—introduced legislation to help schools in Minnesota and across the country fill their growing need for STEM and special education teachers, to give rural districts resources to overcome teacher shortages, and to develop a more-diverse teacher workforce in the nation’s schools. Sen. Smith’s bill—the Addressing Teacher Shortages Act—would allow school districts across the country to apply for grants to help them to attract and retain the quality teachers they need. The bill would also provide funding for the Department of Education to administer the grant program and help
Sen. Tina Smith’s Remarks on President Trump’s Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to Serve as Supreme Court Justice
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/09/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) took to the Supreme Court steps shortly after President Donald Trump announced Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee to fill the vacancy left by Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement. Sen. Smith joined fellow Senate colleagues, advocacy organizations, and groups to call for a Justice who will protect the rights of all Americans. “This is a pivotal moment for our country–the person who fills this seat long held by Justice Kennedy will shape the course of American democracy for decades,” said Sen. Smith. “I had hoped that the President would appoint a consensus Justice, a person
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s Staff Kicks Off “Health Care Cost Listening Tour”
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/11/18]—U.S Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) continued her push to make health care more affordable for Minnesotans by deploying her staff to kick off their statewide “Health Care Cost Listening Tour.” The listening sessions will include Minnesota residents, as well as health experts and care providers in discussions of how to make health care more affordable and accessible in Minnesota and across the country. “Without question, the number one issue I hear about most frequently from Minnesotans is the high price of health care,” said Sen. Smith. “Over the coming weeks, my staff will be traveling all over the state to
Sen. Tina Smith Pushes for Stronger Safeguards for Minnesotans Taking Out Expensive Private Student Loans
WASHINGTON [07/13/18]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is pushing to make sure students in Minnesota and across the nation understand all of their options when it comes to taking out private loans to pay for school, which can often be deceptively risky and expensive, especially for inexperienced or first-time borrowers. The “Know Before You Owe Act of 2018” would require schools to provide information to prospective borrowers about federal loan eligibility and benefits before certifying a private loan. The bill would also require schools to confirm the student’s enrollment status and cost of attendance before the private student loan is approved. “The student
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