Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Highway Infrastructure Project in Brainerd
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $25 million in federal funding for the Highway 210 Brainerd Multimodal Connectivity Project. Specifically, the grant, provided through USDOT’s Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) program, will allow MnDOT to address critical safety concerns in the historic Brainerd Lakes Area. “As one of the busiest corridors in Crow Wing County, Highway 210 is an important link for local residents and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “These federal dollars will fund essential safety improvements for drivers and pedestrians, while making much-needed upgrades to public utility infrastructure.” “Infrastructure is the backbone of a strong, resilient economy,” said Smith. “Highway 210 helps connect families and businesses across the Brainerd Lakes area and is critical for shipping and commerce in northern Minnesota. Investing in projects like these not only makes our roads safer, but helps support local economies across the state.” Highway 210 through Brainerd is an important corridor for local residents, commuters, tourists, and freight. It has the highest traffic volumes in Crow Wing County and is the only continuous east‐west corridor in Brainerd. The $25 million grant will fund improvements to reduce the risk of fatal and serious injury crashes; create a network of multi-use sidewalks, crosswalks and trails; rehabilitate the Washington Street bridge; and allow the city of Brainerd to make critical improvements to aging public utility and stormwater systems. The MPDG Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) program supports projects that improve and expand our nation’s surface transportation infrastructure in
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Decry Postal Service’s Response to Minnesotans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) slammed the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) responses to their recent letters as unacceptable. The letters asked the Postmaster General to take immediate steps to address the pressing concerns of Minnesotans. After hearing from Bemidji-area constituents and postal workers, Senators Smith and Klobuchar pressed the Postmaster General about agreements made with Amazon that have overwhelmed the already-stretched postal system in Minnesota and pushed workers into dangerous and unsustainable conditions. Minnesotans rely on the Postal Service to receive prescriptions, paychecks, and other essential needs, and Minnesotans across the state have reported delays in receiving these deliveries. Postal workers, particularly in the Bemidji area, report chaos as they are told to prioritize the deliveries of Amazon packages over regular mail and lack of staffing to meet the Postal Service’s delivery standards. In response to Senators Smith and Klobuchar’s letters, the Postal Service asserted that, “for the most part, all mailpieces and packages, including in Bemidji, are being delivered daily.” Dozens of reports from across Minnesota, including from members of Senator Smith’s staff and their families, contradict that claim. Additionally, postal workers and constituents report mail deliveries going out well into the night – hours after dark – which is dangerous as well as an unreasonable work load. Senators Smith and Klobuchar stand by the reports of Minnesotans. Plus, the Postal Service’s Inspector General has found that USPS’s tracking systems are unreliable and riddled with false data, a problem Sen. Smith and Klobuchar have introduced legislation to fix. “The Postal Service management has asked me to take their word over the words of Minnesotans. I believe Minnesotans,” said Senator Smith. “This week, I have heard from postal workers and their families
U.S. Senator Tina Smith to Introduce Legislative Fix that Would Make Older Children and Adult Dependents Eligible for COVID-19 Relief Payments
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/2/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced she plans to introduce a legislative fix that would make dependents 17 and older count toward what a family gets in direct payments from the bipartisan coronavirus relief package signed into law last week. Sen. Smith’s bill already has 14 original cosponsors, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Under the CARES Act, an economic stimulus payment of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child will go to most taxpayers with incomes below $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers. The payment is structured as a tax refund and administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Under current law, no
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce $40k USDA Investment in Sacred Heart Public Safety Infrastructure Improvements
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/2/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $42,000 grant to the City of Sacred Heart for public safety infrastructure improvements. The funds come from the USDA’s Community Facilities Grant Program. The Senators said that the grant will be used to replace the roof of the Sacred Heart Fire Hall, which has numerous leaks and is in need of repair. The new roof will help keep equipment safe and allow workers to focus on fire emergency calls for the surrounding community in Renville County. “Our 21st century economy demands 21st century infrastructure, and that requires investments in roads, bridges, airports,
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Delivers for Minnesotans as Treasury Department Says Social Security Beneficiaries Do Not Need to File Tax Returns to Receive COVID-19 Cash Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/02/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) shared that late last night the U.S. Treasury Department heeded concerns voiced by Sen. Smith and her colleagues and announced that Social Security recipients will automatically receive direct cash assistance included in the third bipartisan emergency coronavirus relief package—known as the CARES Act—without having to file tax returns. This follows an earlier call on Wednesday from Sens. Smith and her Democratic Senate colleagues—led by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)—raising alarm over guidance the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued earlier this week that said Social Security beneficiaries would need to file tax returns
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Cruise Ships Carrying Minnesotans and Other Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/01/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement calling for the Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise ships operated by Holland America Line to be allowed to dock in order for passengers—including the Minnesotans aboard—to disembark safely in a way that protects both their health and public safety amid coronavirus (COVID-19). Sen. Smith has been actively working to help find a solution for getting passengers off the Zaandam—which currently has four deceased people and over 150 others with flu-like symptoms aboard—as well as the Rotterdam cruise ship, which has passengers who report not having symptoms. Sen. Smith has
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