Latest Newsletters
Historic Infrastructure Bill Will Benefit Minnesota for Years to Come
I was at the White House in November when President Biden signed the historic bipartisan infrastructure bill into law. I pushed hard to get the measure through the Senate and over the finish line because in the coming months and years, it will create thousands of jobs, make our state more competitive and improve the lives of rural, urban, suburban, and Tribal communities across Minnesota. Last week, I also joined the President when he visited Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) in Rosemount to talk about how the new law will directly improve the lives of all Minnesotans. At that event, he highlighted not only how it will make badly needed upgrades to our roads, bridges and water systems, but also advance two of my top priorities: addressing the climate crisis and expanding broadband service to Minnesota communities that aren’t yet connected. The estimated impacts on key areas in Minnesota are historic. Minnesota will receive at least: $4.5 billion for Minnesota highways $302 million for Minnesota bridges $680 million for lead service line replacements to update Minnesota’s water infrastructure $297 million for Minnesota airports $856 million for Minnesota transit systems in rural, suburban and urban areas $68 million for electric vehicle charging in Minnesota At least $100 million to expand broadband to the tens of thousands of Minnesota households that currently do not have internet access As these historic investments are put in place in the coming years, Minnesotans will benefit in many ways. “Buy America, Build America” to Benefit Minnesota
An Eventful Autumn
September and October have been busy and exciting months for all of us. Another Minnesota school year has begun, and that nervous, yet determined feeling that comes with a new school year has also been felt here in Washington with my work to ensure the Build Back Better budget benefits families, communities, and businesses across Minnesota. I have successfully advocated for the November 8 reopening of the U.S.-Canadian border for vaccinated travelers, which is good news for hard-hit Northern Minnesota businesses and communities that depend on Canadian travelers to thrive. In addition, I have called on the U.S. Postal Service to answer to its plan to slow down first-class mail, met with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in St. Paul to discuss our push to transition Minnesota and the nation towards a clean energy future, and taken on big pharma by fighting to lower prescription drug costs for Minnesota families and seniors. Together, we are Building Back Better. -Tina Smith Minnesota Feeling the impact of USPS Plan to Slow Delivery Recent changes to the U.S. Postal Service’s First-Class Mail, implemented under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, have resulted in the slowest delivery standards in 50 years. This is unacceptable. I called Postmaster General DeJoy to explain the impact these changes will have on individuals and communities in Minnesota and across the country. I understand Postmaster General DeJoy’s desire to address budget shortfalls, but I am concerned that these changes will disproportionally affect seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, rural areas, and Tribal communities across the country. Mail service
Notes From The Capital: March 2018
Bringing Down Prescription Drug Prices Since becoming Senator, I’ve traveled around Minnesota to talk with families, seniors, and communities. Time and time again, the topic of high prescription drug prices comes up. Minnesotans have been hit hard by the high prices they’re forced to pay for medicines they need to treat serious health conditions.
Notes From The Capitol: April 2018
Giving Minnesotans A Voice in Washington Since becoming Senator I’ve traveled across the state to listen to families, seniors, and communities and discuss issues they care about. I recently introduced two bills—one focused on mental health, and one on expanding broadband access—to address some of the needs I’ve heard about on the road. I introduced a bipartisan measure with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to expand access to mental health services in schools and local communities. My measure was recently included in a bipartisan package of legislation to sharpen the federal response to the opioid crisis, and took an
Notes From The Capitol: May 2018
Helping Everyone Find a Good-Paying Career Not everyone wants or needs to go to a four-year college. But everyone should be able to find a good-paying career. That’s why I introduced a bill to help Minnesotans develop the skills they need—for jobs that are available right now—without taking on huge amounts of debt. My bill, called the 21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act, would expand workforce training partnerships between secondary schools, community and technical colleges, and local businesses. Over the past few months, I’ve been traveling all around Minnesota to gather input on local workforce needs. I’ve seen models that excel,
Notes From The Capital: June 2018
Pushing The 2018 Bipartisan Farm Bill Through The Senate The Farm Bill touches the lives of virtually every American, and it is vital to Minnesota’s economy. It provides important stability and predictability to Minnesota farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and Indian Country while also sustaining tens of thousands of Minnesota jobs. I’m glad that we are getting very close to passing a bipartisan Farm Bill through the Senate. The legislation includes several measures that I authored and championed—including a legislative roadmap for the energy section of the Farm Bill, and a provision to expand access to much-needed broadband in rural communities
English