Latest Releases
Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, and Representative Angie Craig Press Postal Service for Answers on Mail Carriers’ Missing Paychecks
WASHINGTON, D.C. [09/25/23] — Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, and U.S. Representative Angie Craig (all D-Minn.) sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy seeking answers about an apparent payroll system error that led to an estimated 53,000 rural letter carriers missing or receiving only a partial paycheck on September 1. After hearing from Minnesotans affected by the error, the lawmakers pressed DeJoy on the Postal Service’s insufficient response to their significant error, and demanded immediate back pay for the impacted workers. “Rural letter carriers – including carrier assistants – are essential workers whose services are critical to small towns and rural places in Minnesota and around the country,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter. “As you know, these carriers deliver medications to veterans, bills to seniors, and support businesses large and small, all for relatively modest pay. Like a lot of American families, many rural letter carriers can’t afford a missed paycheck. We understand that USPS offered affected employees the option to receive a salary advance in the form of a money order at 65 percent of gross pay. However, that is an insufficient proposal that fails to address the scope of these employees’ needs, and does not demonstrate a commitment to getting these workers the pay they earned.” In their letter, Smith, Klobuchar, and Craig called for DeJoy to answer the following questions by September 30, 2023: You can access a full copy of the letter here.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Significant Federal Funding to Combat Extreme Heat, Create More Green Spaces in Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced over $33 million in federal funding to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature in cities, towns, and suburbs throughout Minnesota. The funding is made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, which Smith helped pass. “As climate change fuels record-breaking heat waves across the country, we need to be doing more to increase tree cover and improve access to nature,” said Smith. “Extreme heat strains our energy systems and has negative effects on public health and overall well-being. These investments, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will increase access to green spaces and help communities become more resilient to extreme heat thanks to the cooling effects of tree cover.” The grants are made possible by investments from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. Studies show that trees in communities are associated with improved physical and mental health, lower average temperatures during extreme heat, and increased food security, and create new economic opportunities. This historic funding will help support projects that increase tree cover in disadvantaged communities, provide equitable access to the benefits of nature, and deliver tangible economic and ecological benefits to Minnesota. The grants include:
Sen. Tina Smith Spends Weekend Working Hard for Minnesotans
U.S. Senator Tina Smith made stops across the state—which you can read more about here—including the Red River Valley, southern Minnesota, and the metro area to hear from Minnesotans and inform her work in Washington. “I’m so thankful to the Minnesotans I met with this weekend. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about what matters most to you,” said Sen. Smith. “It is an honor to be able to take your stories back with me to Washington and continue to be a fierce advocate for all of you.” You can view pictures from Sen. Smith’s weekend and read
Sen. Tina Smith Fights against Financial Threats to MinnesotaCare
U.S. Senator Tina Smith is working hard in the Senate Health Committee to protect a vital program that provides high-quality, affordable care for more than 100,000 Minnesotans. Late last year, President Trump abruptly ended federal payments that help consumers afford their health insurance coverage. That decision drove up premiums across the country and produced significant confusion and financial losses in several states. Because of these cuts, and other actions taken by the Trump Administration, Minnesota is now on track to lose more than $806 million in total funding from its “Basic Health Program” (BHP)—also known as MinnesotaCare. Now the long-term
Sen. Tina Smith Says Minnesota Winter Olympians Will Put “Best of Our State” on World Stage
With the 2018 Winter Olympics kicking off in PyeongChang, South Korea, U.S. Senator Tina Smith said that she’s excited for the Winter Games to showcase Minnesota’s impressive delegation of athletes—the third most of any state in the country. “I’m so proud of the Minnesota Olympians who are getting ready to put the best of our state on display in South Korea,” said Sen. Smith. “I continue to be amazed that we’re sending 21 athletes to compete in the Winter Games—third most in the entire country—but I’m not all that surprised. Because often when you’re a Minnesotan, once your kids can walk, you bet
Sen. Tina Smith Announces Ag Working Group ahead of Upcoming Farm Bill Debate
U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced the members of her newly-formed Ag Working Group who will help make sure Minnesota priorities are included in the upcoming debate over the federal Farm Bill. “I fought for a spot on the Senate Agriculture Committee because agriculture is the foundation of Minnesota’s economy,” said Sen. Smith. “As we move into this year’s Farm Bill debate, I plan to push Minnesota priorities after hearing from as many Minnesota experts as possible. My new Ag Working Group will bring together Minnesotans with a deep understanding of farm policy and how it impacts our state’s producers, businesses, and communities. They’ll
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