Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Attorney General Ellison’s Settlement with Nation’s Largest Landlord for Artificially Inflating Rental Prices
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), top Democrat on the Senate Housing Subcommittee, released the following statement after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a $7 million settlement with the nation’s largest landlord, Greystar, as part of his ongoing litigation against property management software company RealPage. “When everything is already so unaffordable, cheating by artificially inflating rent adds insult to injury. These corporate landlords will do anything to pad their pockets and that’s why I’m so appreciative of Attorney General Ellison’s work to bring accountability for Minnesota renters,” said Senator Smith. “I’m pushing legislation to ban these practices nationwide and empower renters. Landlords should be competing on price, lease terms and amenities, not illegally colluding to keep prices high.” RealPage is accused of using confidential information from landlords such as Greystar in order to inflate rental prices and decrease competition in the free market. Minnesota is expected to receive approximately $500,000 in the settlement. Smith is a co-sponsor of the End Rent Fixing Act, legislation that would crack down on landlords that collude to set prices with software and price-setting algorithms. In addition to the monetary payment to the states as a result of Attorney General Ellison’s lawsuit, the proposed consent decree, if approved by the court, would require Greystar to: Earlier this year, Smith joined an effort to press RealPage to answer for its multi-million dollar lobbying campaign for a provision that would have shielded them from state or local laws regulating improper use of artificial intelligence. She has also pressed RealPage about its algorithmic
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Call for Senate Vote to Release the Epstein Files
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) have requested Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) immediately hold a floor vote on legislation to release the Epstein Files. Klobuchar and Smith requested that the Senate vote on the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed the House of Representatives with nearly unanimous bipartisan support (427-1) – enough to overcome a Presidential veto. “The victims of Jeffrey Epstein and the American people deserve answers, accountability and the truth. So far, they have only seen empty promises from President Trump and his Administration. Now that a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives has responsibly acted to provide transparency on this matter we call on you to quickly hold a vote in the U.S. Senate to help deliver the accountability that was promised and that so many Americans are demanding,” wrote the Senators in their request. “This case is about exploitation and abuse, and these victims deserve justice. I will vote to release these files because this transparency is owed to the American people,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Given that the President has said he wants the files released, there is absolutely no reason Senate Republicans should delay calling for this vote tomorrow.” “These young girls were misled and abused by powerful men who thought that the rules didn’t apply to them, that they could get away with anything. They deserve justice, and many of Epstein’s victims have called for us to support them through voting yes on releasing the Epstein Files, and
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Denounce Trump Administration’s Withholding of $20 Million in Head Start Funding for Minnesota Preschools, Early Childhood Education Centers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) denounced the Trump Administration for withholding nearly $20 million dollars in Head Start funding from Minnesota and vowed to push back against any attempt to shutter the program. Over 10,000 children in Minnesota access early childhood education and preschool with support from Head Start. Head Start programs serve all geographic regions of the state, but predominantly serve children in Greater Minnesota. The funding is being withheld as the Administration moves to close five Head Start regional offices, including the office that serves Minnesota. Reports indicate the Trump Administration hopes to shutter the Head Start program in their
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Press Trump Administration Not to Close Baudette Agricultural Field Office
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Tina Smith (D-MN) pressed the Trump Administration not to close the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Field Office in Baudette, MN. The Baudette field office serves Lake of the Woods and Koochiching Counties, totaling nearly 5,000 square miles. Should the Baudette office close, the nearest field office would be located one hundred miles away in Bemidji. Bemidji field office staff would be forced to take on service for two additional counties on top of the five they already serve without additional resources or staff. Baudette’s closure comes during one
U.S. Senators Smith, Shaheen, Warnock, Murray and Wyden Introduce Legislation to Expand Childcare Relief to Families
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act, legislation to help more working families cover a greater share of the high cost of childcare. Senator Smith, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, was joined by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee in introducing the bill. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act would permanently expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC). This bill would help ease the burden of high childcare costs
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Mike Crapo Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address Shortage of Rural Veterinarians
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced a bipartisan bill to combat the scarcity of veterinarians in rural areas. The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act would give veterinarians practicing in underserved communities tax exemptions for student loan payments. This would extend a similar exemption available for physicians to veterinary services, enabling veterinarians to help the Americans who need it the most. “In nearly every state in the country, there are shortages for veterinarians, especially in rural areas,” said Senator Smith.“This record shortage causes serious harm to the health of animals and the public. Providing additional funding to the
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