Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Celebrates Rural Broadband Announcements in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced three grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide high-speed, reliable internet to residents in rural Minnesota. Over 5,000 people will benefit from these awards. Recipients include 139 different businesses and 368 farms across the state. “Internet access is not just a luxury in the 21st century, it’s a necessity,” said Senator Smith. “In Minnesota and across the country, people in rural areas, small towns, and Tribal communities need access to reliable, high-speed internet. Investing in broadband infrastructure with the ReConnect Grant Program will help connect communities in every part of the country to high-speed internet and I am proud to have helped bring this funding back to Minnesota.” Three organizations across Minnesota were awarded money: The investment comes from USDA Rural Development’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program and totals $44,433,314 for all three awards. ReConnect provides loans and grants to bring high-speed internet to rural areas that lack access to broadband. ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Funding for Minnesota Rural Emergency Medical Services
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – As access to emergency medical services (EMS) continues to be a top issue for leaders in Minnesota, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced federal funding to bolster rural EMS services in the Southwest Metro region and the Arrowhead counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis in Northeastern Minnesota. The funding was made available through the SIREN Act, which both Senators supported and was signed into law in October of this year. The Arrowhead EMS Association will receive $5,000,000 to pilot real-time tele-EMS technologies to connect area responders to emergency personnel in areas with high traffic fatalities. Ridgeview Ambulance Service, based in Waconia and serving all of Carver County, portions of Hennepin, Le Sueur, McLeod, Nicollet, Scott, Sibley and Wright counties, will receive $170,000 to purchase a highly sophisticated patient care simulator. Ridgeview will also use the funding to host an EMT course in Le Sueur County that will be free to those that join their local ambulance service and provide more opportunities and flexibilities for paramedics to obtain continuing education hours. “EMS providers are on the frontlines every single day, not only bridging the gap between life-threatening situations and treatment at local hospitals, but also providing critical care to people in their homes and communities. Their dedication and expertise are crucial for saving lives – but there’s a severe shortage in rural communities right now and it’s having a dire impact,” said Senator Smith. “These grants will help rural communities train new personnel, keep those
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bills to Reduce the Cost of Prescription Drugs and Expand Access to Health Care Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/13/23] — More than half a dozen health care bills by U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) were signed into law by President Biden two weeks ago. The measures will take important steps to lower the cost of prescription drugs, address public health workforce shortages, and shore up supply chains while creating good-paying American jobs. Most of the provisions were bipartisan. “Since my first day in office, I’ve promised Minnesotans that I would work to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and expand access to health care,” said Sen. Smith. “These measures provide the tools to make significant progress on
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bipartisan Mental Health Care Measures Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/13/23] — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced two of her bipartisan mental health care bills were signed into law by President Biden two weeks ago. The provisions will take important steps to address the mental health crisis and improve Tribal health services. “I know firsthand the importance of mental health services. These measures will help expand access to mental health care in Minnesota and across this country,” said Sen. Smith. “It gives us the tools to make significant progress tackling the mental health crisis, upholding our commitments to Tribal Nations, and more.” Provisions based on Smith’s Improving Access
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Applauds Passage of Key Tribal Priorities From Mental Health Care to Homeownership in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/13/23] — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) applauded the bipartisan government funding bill, which includes a number of key Tribal provisions she has authored or championed. The Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which was signed into law by President Biden two weeks ago, will take important steps to help Native families achieve homeownership, provide culturally competent mental and behavioral health services, and provide adequate funding for the Indian Health Service. “This bill is a historic investment in hard working families in Minnesota and across this country,” said Sen. Smith. “It gives us the tools to make significant progress on upholding our
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Access to Drinking Water in Otsego
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $3.4 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to improve access to drinking water in Otsego. Specifically, these resources will enable the design and construction of a drinking water treatment plant for the city. “This project will enable critical improvements to Otsego’s water infrastructure that will boost the health and safety of families across the city,” said Klobuchar. “I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure this funding, and I know that these resources will make a real difference in
English