Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Todd Field Airport
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for Todd Field Airport for infrastructure improvements. The grant provides $214,749 to resurface 3,501 feet of Runway 16/34, 1,340 feet of taxiway, 278 feet of other surfaces, and 9,320 square yards of general aviation apron pavement. The funding will also be used to rehabilitate 400 square feet of the parking lot and 1,000 feet of the terminal entrance access road. “Todd Field Airport is an essential link for residents and businesses in Long Prairie and beyond,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will make needed infrastructure updates to ensure the airport can continue serving travelers for years to come.” “I’m glad to see the Biden-Harris administration once again delivering for travelers in Minnesota and around the country,” said Smith. “Small and regional airports like the Todd Field Airport are vital parts of their communities and this funding will go directly towards repaving the runway and other important surfaces.” This funding is from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings. ###
Senator Smith and Representative Omar Reintroduce No Shame at School Act
WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) announced the reintroduction of the No Shame at School Act, a bill aimed at ending lunch shaming practices in schools nationwide. The No Shame at School Act would prohibit school districts from publicly identifying or shaming students who are unable to pay for school meals. It also bans schools from hiring debt collectors to recover unpaid school meal debt.The legislation requires schools to attempt to directly certify children with unpaid meal debt for free or reduced-price meals and allows schools to be retroactively reimbursed for meals served to these children. “No child should have to go through the experience of being shamed at school for an unpaid lunch bill,” said Senator Smith. “I’m so proud of the work Minnesota has done to address this issue through universal school lunches, but there are too many places around the country where we still see this happening. We need to set our children up for success in school, and making sure kids get the school lunches they need without being made to feel ashamed or embarrassed is an important part of that success.” “In Minnesota, we have already implemented universal school meals and are leading the charge to remove school lunch shaming,” said Rep. Omar, a member of the Committee on Education and Workforce. “It’s time for the rest of the nation to follow suit. Every child deserves to learn and grow without the pangs of hunger or the fear of being
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Senate Push to Preserve Special Education Funding Increases for Schools in Minnesota and Across the Country
WASHINGTON, D.C [11/16/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) pressed top Senate Appropriators to continue the recent increases in special education funding that have been critically important in helping educate students with disabilities in Minnesota and across the country. In a letter Tuesday, Sen. Smith, led a group of 12 key Senators in pressing Appropriations Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Vice Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) to maintain the $2.6 billion increase in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding proposed in both the House and Senate, as they work on end-of-the-year funding bills. The preservation of the increased IDEA funding
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Sees Historic, Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Signed into Law Monday at the White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/15/21]— Today at the White House U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) watched President Biden sign the historic, bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, saying the measure will deliver billions of dollars in long-overdue investments to Minnesota’s roads, bridges, broadband, water infrastructure and other areas of need. Sen. Smith, who helped push the bill through Congress, said the new law will jumpstart the economy and create jobs and economic development in rural, urban and suburban communities across Minnesota and around the nation. She said the new law shows Congress can get important things done in a bipartisan way. “Getting this
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith, Sherrod Brown, Jack Reed Seek Answers on Zillow’s Sale of Thousands of Homes to Private Equity Investors
MINNESOTA [11/10/21]— U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), chair of a key Senate housing subcommittee, and Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown (D-OH), are raising concerns about real estate powerhouse Zillow’s reported plans to sell a large portfolio of single-family homes to institutional investors who could turn those properties into rental homes. The move could leave local homebuyers without affordable options, and renters with poorly managed properties. The two Senators were joined by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a senior Member of the Banking Committee, on a letter Monday to Zillow Chief Executive Officer Rich Barton. In the letter, the Senators questioned Zillow’s
U.S. Senator Tina Smith: With Infrastructure Bill Set to Become Law, “Build Back Better” Budget Now Top Priority
WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/08/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said the historic, bipartisan infrastructure package – which has passed both the Senate and the House – will be signed into law soon, delivering billions of dollars in long-overdue investments to Minnesota’s roads, bridges, broadband, water infrastructure and other needed upgrades. Sen. Smith said the new law will jumpstart the economy and create jobs and economic development in rural, urban and suburban communities across the state. But as the Infrastructure bill delivers upgrades across the state, she said she will continue to press to enact the “Build Back Better” Budget that lowers taxes
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