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. Sens. Klobuchar, Smith & U.S. Reps. Peterson, Stauber: Over $350k in Infrastructure and IT Investments Awarded to 3 Tribal Colleges in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/17/2019]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), along with U.S. Representatives Collin Peterson (D-MN 7) and Pete Stauber (R-MN 8), lauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for awarding over $350,000 to three tribal colleges in Minnesota—Leech Lake Tribal College, Red Lake Nation College and White Earth Tribal and Community College—for infrastructure improvements. “These rural development investments for Red Lake Nation College, White Earth Nation College, and Leech Lake Tribal College will help students gain access to the best possible options to advance their education,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “Minnesotans have a long tradition of honoring our tribal communities, yet we still have work to do
In Senate Hearing, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Calls Administration’s RFS Policy “a Bait and Switch,” Urges Deputy Secretary to Stand up for Farmers
WASHINGTON, DC [10/17/19]— Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) pressed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky about the Administration’s policy on the amount of corn-based ethanol and other renewable fuels blended into the nation’s gasoline supply. Sen. Smith, who has long urged expanded use of renewables, said that a strong renewable fuels standard is critically important to Minnesota corn and soybean farmers and is key to job creation in many rural communities. Her questioning came in response to President Trump’s announcement two weeks ago that he would take steps to make up for the abuse of small refinery waivers, which have allowed oil refineries to avoid using
U.S. Senators Tina Smith & Lisa Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Tribal Energy Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/16/2019]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the bipartisan Tribal Energy Reauthorization Act (TERA), which would update eligibility requirements for energy project grants and encourage more locally and regionally based partnerships when providing technical assistance to tribes. Sens. Smith and Murkowski—both members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee—said the legislation would reauthorize and improve the Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (OIE). The bill reauthorizes OIE and the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TELGP) through 2030. “We need to work with people in local communities—those who are closest to the work—in order to
Klobuchar, Smith Announce $22 Million Loan for Electric Infrastructure Improvements Across Rural Minnesota
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Meeker Cooperative Light & Power a $22,000,000 rural electric infrastructure loan. “This rural electric investment will connect and energize miles of infrastructure in Meeker, Wright, Stearns, McLeod, Kandiyohi, and Renville counties to help our entire state’s economy thrive for many years to come,” Klobuchar said. “Projects like this not only boost the economy, but also support good-paying jobs and maintain the services Minnesotans rely on.” “Rural homes, businesses, schools, airports and hospitals all need reliable electricity, and improving our electric grid is
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