Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Federal Funding for Projects Benefiting Twin Cities and Surrounding Areas
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured significant federal funding in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 federal budget to support local projects benefiting the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. These projects will bolster the region’s infrastructure, help expand health care access and upgrade health care facilities, address affordable housing needs, and improve public safety. “From making infrastructure improvements to expanding access to health care and affordable housing, these projects will help address key issues impacting Minnesotans on a daily basis. I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure these funding commitments, and I know that these resources will make a real difference for so many communities across the Twin Cities and surrounding areas,” said Klobuchar. “The best ideas come from the people living in communities across Minnesota. One of the best parts of my job is helping Minnesotan communities turn their dream projects into reality with federal support,” said Smith. “Health care, housing, education, and infrastructure all have daily impacts on the lives of Minnesotans. I’m proud of our work to secure these investments that will be transformational for people across our state.” Klobuchar and Smith have secured federal investments to further the following priorities: Bolstering infrastructure and community development: $7 million to replace the Eastbound Kellogg Boulevard Bridge in St. Paul with a new bridge system that includes multi-modal safety and access improvements; $5.04 million for Dakota County to design and reconstruct the I-35 and County Highway 50 Interchange; $5
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Call for Review of Realty Company’s Deceptive Listing Agreements
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Urban Development, along with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) requesting a review of real estate brokerage firms’ use of exclusive listing agreements. The letter follows several reports of companies like MV Realty misleading families into entering 40-year exclusive listing agreements, which can make it difficult for homeowners to refinance and often result in them losing out on up to three percent of their home’s value when they resell. “MV Realty, and companies like it, take tens of thousands of dollars from homeowners in exchange for a minimal up-front payment. By advertising these agreements as a ‘loan alternative,’ companies are attempting to avoid the legal limitations on lending while in essence charging borrowers onerous rates,” wrote the Senators. “We urge the CFPB and FTC to work with state attorneys general to review whether these listing agreements and business practices violate federal consumer protection laws, including prohibitions against unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices, and to take appropriate action where violations are found.” A copy of the letter is available here and below: The Honorable Lina Khan The Honorable Rohit Chopra Chair Director Federal Trade Commission Consumer Financial Protection Bureau We are writing regarding recent reports that some real estate brokerage firms are misleading families into entering exclusive listing agreements, which exploit and deprive them of profits that they would earn from
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Senate Colleagues Fight to Increase Fairness and Transparency in Lending Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/06/19]—Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) took steps to improve data collection and deter discrimination in mortgage lending. The Home Loan Quality Transparency Act would reinstate key reporting mortgage lending data reporting requirements that were repealed last year over the objections of Sen. Smith and many consumer and civil rights advocates. The new legislation to reinstate lending transparency was introduced by Sen. Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and cosponsored by Sen. Smith. “I believe that when we have an opportunity to make our communities more inclusive, strengthen transparency, and make sure banks and lenders are playing by the rules, we should take it,” said Sen. Smith. “This legislation strengthens a key tool for
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith Push to Prevent Unfair Prescription Drug Hikes
Senators Back Bill to Stop Big Pharma from Using Exclusivity Periods to Stave Off Lower-Cost Generics Coming to Market WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/07/2019]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) recently helped introduce legislation to help prevent price hikes for prescription drugs. Sens. Klobuchar and Smith have both traveled across the state and know just how much Minnesotans—and Americans across the country—struggle when it comes to affording the high cost of prescription medications. The Forcing Limits on Abusive and Tumultuous (FLAT) Prices Act of 2019—led by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and also supported by Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Richard Blumenthal
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Key Areas of Focus on Senate Agriculture Committee
Senator Continues Serving as Ranking Member of Rural Development and Energy; Joins Commodities, Risk Management and Trade; and Livestock, Marketing, and Ag Security Subcommittees WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/08/19]—Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, she continues to serve as a top leader on the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee. Sen. Smith also announced that she has been named to the Commodities, Risk Management and Trade; and Livestock, Marketing and Ag Security Subcommittees. “Farm policy needs to work for Minnesota, and that’s what I kept in mind as I met with farmers, ranchers,
Smith, Klobuchar, Senators Press Power-5 Conferences to Toughen Sexual Assault Policies
Lawmakers want Pac-12, ACC, SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 to take meaningful action to address sexual violence WASHINGTON, D.C. [2/08/19]– U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar pressed the commissioners of the Pac-12, ACC, SEC, Big 10 and Big 12 conferences to take serious and meaningful steps to address the misconduct and sexual violence within their athletics programs. In August 2018, the NCAA dissolved its Commission to Combat Campus Sexual Violence without considering or adopting any meaningful solutions beyond actions already required by federal law. In a letter led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), the senators asked for the
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