Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Infrastructure and Public Safety Projects in Le Sueur County
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for projects benefiting Le Sueur County. These projects will help support the Le Sueur County Broadband Initiative, the Le Sueur Water Treatment Facility, and the implementation of a Records Management System, Computer Aided Dispatch, and Jail Management Software Program in the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office. Last month, Klobuchar met with Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason and other county officials to discuss the technology upgrades for the Sheriff’s Office. “From expanding access to broadband to bolstering law enforcement, these projects will make a big difference in Le Sueur County,” said Klobuchar. “We worked with local leaders to secure these resources and move the projects forward.” “From building out affordable and accessible broadband access, to ensuring our water is clean and safe, and keeping our local law enforcement offices up-to-date, the funding heading to Le Sueur County is going to have a real, substantive impact in people’s lives,” said Smith. “These are exactly the type of projects the federal government should be a partner in and I’m proud of the work we did with local leaders to make it possible.” Klobuchar and Smith have successfully secured: Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for Willmar Air Medical Transportation Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $1,500,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for infrastructure improvements for Life Link III’s Willmar base. Life Link III is a hospital owned nonprofit organization representing 10 major health systems providing critical care and specialized air medical transportation. “In emergency situations, every second counts and air medical transportation networks are important resources for first responders to deliver quick assistance in hard-to-reach areas,” said Klobuchar. “With this funding, Life Link III will be able to make infrastructure improvements to its Willmar base to bolster its ability to service the area.” “Life Link III has played a critical role in helping Minnesotans experiencing emergencies,” said Smith. “The infrastructure improvements from this funding will help meet necessary safety standards and ensure that patients receive high quality emergency medical care when they need it.” Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: By Signing American Rescue Plan, President Delivers Much Needed Relief to Hard-Hit Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [3/11/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 and economic relief package. “For more than a year, our nation has been hit hard by a devastating and deadly pandemic. By signing the American Rescue Plan into law today, President Biden has delivered on his promise to Americans that much-needed help is on the way,” said Sen. Smith. “The challenges presented by COVID-19 feel very personal – it has impacted our jobs, the well-being of our families and our health. This plan will deliver historic economic relief to families, businesses, schools and health care organizations. And it will move us
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Applauds Biden Administration Action On Investment Rules that Will Promote Racial, Environmental Justice
WASHINGTON, D.C. [3/10/21]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today backed a Biden Administration decision to stop enforcing a Department of Labor rule from 2020 that discouraged retirement plan managers from considering factors like climate change and racial justice in their investment decisions. She said the move will remove unnecessary regulatory burdens and give investment managers flexibility to offer investment options that take into account environmental, social and governmental (ESG) criteria when deciding where to invest. “As workers and retirees increasingly ask that their retirement plans take issues of racial equity and climate change into account in their investment decisions, I believe
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Says Senate-Passed COVID-19 Relief Package Will Help Tribal Communities Recover From Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [3/6/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package passed by the Senate today includes more than $31 billion she pushed to help Tribal governments and urban Indigenous communities in Minnesota and across the country address the health and economic fallout from the pandemic. She said the funding represents the largest single infusion of resources for Tribal Nations in U.S. history. Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said that during the pandemic, Indigenous Americans who contract COVID-19 have been hospitalized at nearly four times the rate of non-Hispanic white Americans, and they die
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Says Senate-Passed Pension Relief Package Stops Drastic Cuts Looming for 22,000 Minnesota Retirees
WASHINGTON, D.C. [3/6/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package passed by the Senate today includes a key measure to bolster the solvency of the multiemployer pension system and prevent drastic cuts to pensions earned by more than 22,000 Minnesotans. The measure passed today stems from Sen. Smith’s years-long push to help the more than 1 million workers and retirees nationwide—including more than 22,000 Minnesotans—who had been facing deep cuts to their hard-earned pensions. Sen. Smith said without the action from Congress, the more than 22,000 Minnesotans who paid into Central States Pension Fund, as well
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