Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Representative Brad Finstad Announce Investment to Strengthen Southwest Minnesota Manufacturing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representative Brand Finstad (R-MN01) announced a $1.6 million grant from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington, Minnesota to help address the growing demand for skilled workers in robotics, hydraulics, welding and machining training. The grant will go towards purchasing and outfitting a mobile mechatronics classroom and customized welding trailer to expand manufacturing workforce training at the college’s campuses in Lyon and Nobles counties. This EDA investment is expected to create and retain 250 jobs and generate $1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates. “Technical and community colleges play a critical role in meeting the demand for skilled manufacturing, and it’s fantastic to see the Biden administration investing in Minnesota schools that will help us train and educate the workforce of the future,” said Senator Tina Smith. “This grant will help us meet labor needs, create jobs, and ensure America leads in innovation.” “Southern Minnesota has world-class technical programs that equip young people with the experience they need to modernize and meet the demands of today’s workforce,” said Representative Brad Finstad. “Minnesota West Community and Technical College has done great work to ensure the readiness of the next generation in the workplace, and I am happy to see that they receive the funding they need to continue to grow welding and robotics programs which will strengthen the skilled workforce in Minnesota’s First District.” This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023,
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Peter Welch Introduce Bill to Increase Energy Efficiency Capabilities Across America
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), joined by her colleague Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), introduced legislation that would boost the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase energy efficiency capabilities across America. Studies have estimated that a national energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) would save consumers over $56 billion on their energy bills and could create 400,000 jobs. “Increasing our energy efficiency is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut back on the amount of energy we use overall,” said Sen. Smith. “This bill would save families money on energy costs and build upon the good work that states are already doing, including by leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act’s unprecedented federal investment in clean energy efficient technologies.” “Vermont is proud to be a national leader in the fight against climate change—including the first statewide energy efficiency utility in the country. These efforts have transformed the way Vermonters use energy, saving billions of dollars in energy bills, creating green jobs, and eliminating millions of tons of carbon emissions in the process. The American Energy Efficiency Act builds on Vermont’s success by establishing a nationwide efficiency standard for retail electric and natural gas utilities and making efficiency upgrades more affordable for families across the country,” said Senator Welch. Specifically, the American Energy Efficiency Act would build upon state successes to establish a national energy efficiency resource standard (EERS). This bill would help all states benefit from commercial, cost-effective energy savings technologies by: You can read the full text of the bill here and view the one-pager here. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on President Trump’s Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/26/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Americans need Supreme Court Justices who will protect the rights of all Americans, and deliver equal justice for all. Judge Barrett’s record opposing the Affordable Care Act and reproductive rights for women shows that she is not qualified to safeguard our constitutional rights and liberties as a member of our nation’s highest court. It is for those reasons that I will oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.”
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith: USDA Shortchanged MN Farmers When Distributing Billions to Compensate for President’s Damaging Trade War
Washington, DC [09/15/2020]– U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said findings from a newly released investigation by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Trump Administration shortchanged farmers in Minnesota and several other states outside of the South when it distributed billions of dollars in aid to partially compensate producers for the significant losses they suffered under the President’s damaging trade wars. Senator Smith said the report, released Monday, found that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) not only funneled more money to farmers in southern states, but also favored large operations over
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Announce $929 Million Grant for Southwest Light Rail
Washington, DC [09/14/2020]–Today Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced a $928.8 million Federal Transit Administration grant for the Southwest Light Rail. Once completed, the 14.5-mile, 16-station extension of the METRO Green Line will connect downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie, serving residents in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, nearby Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie. The $2.003 billion project will be the largest public infrastructure project in the state’s history. The Senators said the project will provide a significant economic boost to the region, both during construction when it creates jobs, as well as afterward when it will carry thousands of passengers to work, shopping and other venues
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Working to Provide Relief to Northwest Angle Businesses
Washington, DC [09/11/2020]– Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced legislation to provide relief to Minnesota businesses in the Northwest Angle that are hurting due to coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions between the United States and Canada. The Remote Recreational Small Business Interruption Program Act would provide forgivable loans to small businesses in exclaves of the contiguous United States near the Canadian border. In order to safely reach the Northwest Angle, Americans must travel through Canadian territory by automobile at a border crossing. The alternative is a 40 mile boat trip across Lake of the Woods. Sens. Smith and Senator Klobuchar have urged cooperation between the U.S. and Canadian governments to find solutions to
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