Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Celebrate Historic Investment in State’s Largest Electric Co-Op for Affordable, Clean Energy
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), celebrated historic funding for clean, reliable and low-cost energy for rural Minnesotans. Connexus Energy will use funding secured by Senators Smith and Klobuchar to produce over 280 megawatts of clean energy through hydro, solar and wind energy that will lower costs for its 146,000 members in rural Minnesota while supporting 400 jobs. With $170 million in funding, these projects will reduce climate pollution by more than 1.1 million tons of harmful, climate-warming emissions each year. Minnesota’s electric cooperatives provide electricity to nearly one-third of the state. Connexus is based in Ramsey, Minnesota and serves 146,000 members across Anoka, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Ramsey, Sherburne, and Washington counties. “The clean energy transition is here, and we can either lead or follow. I want Minnesota to lead, and with this announcement, we will,” said Senator Smith. “With this investment, cooperatives can unleash clean energy in a way that works best for their communities. This will fight climate change. This will lower energy costs. And this will strengthen our energy security and resilience by ensuring our rural communities continue to have safe, reliable and clean, American-made energy for years to come.” “Domestically produced renewable power strengthens our energy independence and boosts rural economies,” said Senator Klobuchar. “These Empowering Rural America Program grants will lower rural energy costs, create good paying jobs, and support renewable energy projects in Minnesota and across the country.” Senator Smith was instrumental in securing this funding for rural electric co-ops through her
U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar Announce Over $20 Million in Federal Funding to Preserve Affordable Housing
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Chair of the Senate Housing Subcommittee, and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced over $20 million in federal funding for the Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) to preserve affordable housing in manufactured housing communities and support Tribal communities across the Upper Midwest. This funding, awarded through the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) grants, will ensure long-term housing affordability, infrastructure improvements, and community redevelopment for residents in historically underserved areas. The funding will support MHP’s D.R.E.A.M. Initiative (Driving Resilience, Equity, and Affordability through Manufactured Housing), benefiting six Resident-Owned Communities of manufactured housing in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as 28 Tribal communities across the Upper Midwest. “Without a safe, decent place to live, nothing else in your life works. Manufactured housing communities are a critical source of affordable homeownership for families, but they’ve been historically overlooked and under supported,” said Senator Smith. “This investment will help preserve affordable housing, strengthen infrastructure, and support a variety of communities in Minnesota and across the Upper Midwest. By ensuring long-term affordability, we’re giving people the stability, security, and opportunity they deserve.” “Safe and affordable housing is essential for families and the health of our communities, but right now, for far too many, the housing market is inaccessible,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This grant provides critical resources to improve long-term affordability, upgrade infrastructure, and expand access to quality housing where it’s needed the most.” “Manufactured housing is an essential component of our nation’s housing system, providing stability for over 22 million Americans,” said Anne Mavity, Executive Director of MHP. “MHP
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on the Death of Minnesota Native Jimmy Hill in Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/17/22]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to the news that Minnesota native Jimmy Hill was killed during a military strike by Russia in Ukraine: “The death of Jimmy Hill is horrible news and my thoughts are with Jimmy and his family in Minnesota. Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine is causing destruction and loss of life and is taking a human toll the world over.”
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Chisholm Public Safety and Emergency Services Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $3.5 million in federal funding to improve Chisholm’s public safety and emergency services infrastructure. Specifically, the funding will enable the construction of a new Chisholm public safety facility that will house the city’s police and fire departments, as well as ambulance services. The current public safety facility is over a century old. “Improving public safety and emergency services infrastructure is critical to ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Klobuchar. “I’m proud to have worked with local leaders in Chisholm to secure these vital
U.S. Senator Smith’s Legislation to Strengthen Public Health Measures Takes a Key Step Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/17/22]—This week, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed the bipartisan PREVENT Pandemics Act, which includes several important pieces of U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) public health legislation. “The COVID pandemic has further exposed the inequities and weaknesses in our public health system,” said Smith. “The PREVENT Pandemics Act would ensure we are better prepared in the future and that we have the resources to confront these challenges. I am proud we were able to include several of my bills in this package and look forward to voting on it on the Senate floor.” The
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith Secures Significant Federal Funding for Critical Senior Housing Repair in St. Peter
WASHINGTON [3.17.22] – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that she has secured $300,000 in federal funding to enable much-needed repairs for Parkview Manor, a low-income senior housing complex in St. Peter. Specifically, the project will support a new roof, proper smoke hatches, skylights, and an updated air system. “Without safe, affordable housing, nothing else in life works,” said Senator Smith. “Residents at Parkview Manor, and those in senior living across the state, deserve a high-quality, safe place to call home. I’m proud of our work to secure these resources and deliver much-needed repairs and improvements to Parkview Manor and
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