Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant to Build New Child Care Facility in Ely
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $1,200,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to remodel an existing building into a child care facility. The newly renovated facility will house the Ely Area Community Foundation Happy Days Childcare Inc. and provide residents with expanded child care services. “Finding child care is a challenge for far too many parents,” said Klobuchar. “We secured this significant federal grant to expand child care services and give parents in Ely more options.” “Access to affordable child care is essential, both for the safe and healthy development of our kids, and because it allows parents the freedom to pursue their careers and contribute to the economy,” said Smith. “This investment in Ely that I helped secure will create a new child care facility that will help hundreds of families get much needed child care services.” Senators Klobuchar and Smith are members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees the USDA. This federal funding was secured through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Program grants can be used by communities across the country to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area, such as health care facilities, public safety services, educational services, and more. ###
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce Federal Grant for New School Equipment for Nicollet Independent School District
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced a $32,300 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to purchase school equipment for the Nicollet Independent School District. Nicollet Public Schools is a K-12 public school district that also owns and operates an Early Childhood center, which has old playground equipment. The federal funding will help replace outdated equipment to ensure children have a safe space to play. “Kids need up-to-date playground equipment to play safely,” said Klobuchar. “With this federal funding, Nicollet Public Schools will be able to make needed replacements at the Early Childhood center playground so kids can keep having fun.” “Everyone should have access to outdoor spaces and recreational opportunities,” said Smith. “This investment in Nicollet will replace outdated and aged playground equipment to ensure families and children have a new, safe place to play.” Senators Klobuchar and Smith are members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees the USDA. This federal funding was secured through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Program grants can be used by communities across the country to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area, such as health care facilities, public safety services, educational services, and more. ###
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Urges Regulators to Protect Key Data Used For Community Planning, Fighting Discrimination
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/25/2019]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—who has been holding meetings to discuss the need for affordable housing across Minnesota—and her Democratic Senate Banking Committee colleagues are demanding that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) continues to collect vital information designed to determine whether financial institutions are serving the housing needs of their communities, identifying possible discriminatory lending and enforcing antidiscrimination laws. The CFPB has proposed to end the collection of some Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data that is currently collected on home mortgages. This data is one of the primary tools to measure trends and disparities in mortgage
In Wake of Difficult Weather, U.S. Senator Tina Smith Encourages Minnesota Farmers Experiencing Harvest Delays to Contact Crop Insurance Agents
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/25/19]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is encouraging Minnesota farmers participating in federal crop insurance to request more time to harvest after extremely wet and snowy conditions this fall forced many to experience delays. “It’s absolutely critical that we do everything we can to support farmers who’ve been facing bad weather, trade uncertainty and low commodity prices,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “If you are a farmer with crop insurance, I urge you to contact your insurance agent to request more time to harvest. And I’ll keep working to bring stability and predictability to Minnesota Ag.”
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith & Susan Collins: Bipartisan Resolution Recognizes October as National Principals Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/25/2019]—U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine)—both members of the Senate Education Committee—are pleased that their bipartisan resolution declaring October 2019 as National Principals Month passed the Senate. This resolution recognizes the important role principals play in ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education. “School principals are community builders, academic leaders, facility managers and so much more,” said Sen. Smith. “They’re responsible for creating school environments where every child can succeed, and where teachers and faculty can get the support they need to educate students and help shape them into future leaders. We need to do all we can to
Senators Collins, Smith Praise Unanimous Senate Passage of Their Resolution Celebrating Afterschool Programs
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN) praised the unanimous Senate passage last night of their resolution recognizing Lights on Afterschool, a celebration of afterschool programs nationwide. “Afterschool programs provide an enriching environment for students once the school day has ended,” said Senator Collins. “By engaging young people in academic and physical activities, these programs enhance students’ education and help promote healthy habits. In addition, afterschool programs provide parents with peace of mind knowing that their children are in a safe and structured setting.” “Engaging students in after school activities can give kids the chance to keep learning
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