Latest Releases
In Big Win for Minnesotans in Lake, St. Louis and Cook Counties, U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Bill to Support Counties Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after her bill to provide critical federal funding for hosting federal wilderness lands passed the Senate: “Thye-Blatnik payments have been a vital source of revenue for Cook, St. Louis and Lake Counties in northeastern Minnesota since 1948. But in 2018, a suspect and likely wrong reappraisal led to massive potential cuts in county revenue, which would have devastating impacts for communities in Northern Minnesota,” said Sen. Smith. “Today, after years of work with the Trump and Biden Administrations to reappraise and correctly uphold the value of this one-of-a-kind wilderness, I am pleased that my bill to permanently fix this issue has passed the United States Senate. My bill provides financial certainty and security to these counties and a permanent fix to the problem. I look forward to seeing this bipartisan and urgently needed legislation quickly move through the House of Representatives and go to the President’s desk so it can be signed into law.” The Counties benefit from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) as a world-renowned tourist destination, but they also forgo property taxes and other potential revenue streams. Congress passed the Thye-Blatnik Act over 70 years ago, which directed the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire lands within the future BWCAW and set up a system of annual compensation payments to the host counties. These funds go towards essential services like roadway infrastructure and public safety, and help the counties accurately plan their budgets. When the most recent appraisal in 2018 suggested that there
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Celebrates Rural Broadband Announcements in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced three grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide high-speed, reliable internet to residents in rural Minnesota. Over 5,000 people will benefit from these awards. Recipients include 139 different businesses and 368 farms across the state. “Internet access is not just a luxury in the 21st century, it’s a necessity,” said Senator Smith. “In Minnesota and across the country, people in rural areas, small towns, and Tribal communities need access to reliable, high-speed internet. Investing in broadband infrastructure with the ReConnect Grant Program will help connect communities in every part of the country to high-speed internet and I am proud to have helped bring this funding back to Minnesota.” Three organizations across Minnesota were awarded money: The investment comes from USDA Rural Development’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program and totals $44,433,314 for all three awards. ReConnect provides loans and grants to bring high-speed internet to rural areas that lack access to broadband. ###
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber Secure Significant Federal Funding for Broadband Expansion in Pine County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Broadband Caucus; Senator Tina Smith (D-MN); and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) announced that they have secured significant federal funding to expand broadband access in Pine County. “This federal funding will support Pine County’s broadband initiatives, enabling people from all parts of the county to access critical work, school, and business opportunities online,” said Klobuchar. “I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure these resources, and I look forward to continuing to partner with those in the community to address broadband infrastructure needs.” “As I have
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith & Ben Sasse’s Bipartisan Bill to Improve Credit Union Employee & Member Safety Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON [3.16.22] – U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) announced that their bipartisan legislation to make credit unions safer for employees and members has been signed into law. The Credit Union Employee and Member Safety Act would simplify the expulsion process for credit union members who harass or assault credit union employees, steal from a credit union, or engage in other major violations of credit union rules. “It’s unacceptable that Minnesota credit union employees have had to endure harassment, theft, or violence by members,” said Sen. Smith. “Right now, expelling members who seek to harm credit
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Local Projects Benefiting Northwest Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured significant federal funding for local projects benefiting Northwest Minnesota. This funding will help boost local communities through a wide range of projects including major investments in the Thief River Falls Regional Airport, higher education for Minnesota’s veterans and service members, wastewater treatment facility improvements, roadway infrastructure, childcare investments and more. “This federal funding will have a real impact in Northwest Minnesota. From making infrastructure improvements to expanding access to child care and workforce development programs, these projects will address key issues impacting Minnesotans on
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding for Local Projects Benefiting Mankato Area
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured significant federal funding for local projects benefiting Southern Minnesota. These projects will help boost the local economy through expanded workforce development programs and modernize the region’s energy infrastructure with more clean, efficient renewable energy projects. “This federal funding will have a real impact in Mankato and surrounding areas. From investing in renewable energy to improving access workforce development programs, these projects will address key issues impacting Minnesotans on a daily basis. I am proud to have worked with leaders from across the region to
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