Latest Releases
U.S Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Funding to Improve Bus Infrastructure in Southeastern Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, and Senator Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to strengthen bus and transportation infrastructure in Southern Minnesota. One hundred and seventeen communities across the country are getting grants from the DOT thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation passed by President Biden in 2021 that has delivered infrastructure upgrades to nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will receive $6,282,400 tobuild two new transit facilities in Austin and Waseca. This project will help improve efficiency and enhance reliable transportation services for rural communities in Southern Minnesota. The grant is distributed by the Federal Transit Administration and is part of the Facility Improvements in Rural Minnesota for Sustainable Transit (FIRST) program. “Each day, transit systems connect Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities – all while reducing traffic congestion and pollution,” said Senator Smith. “But for many people, especially those in rural areas, safe, reliable public transportation is hard to find. This funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will deliver faster, safer, and more energy efficient transportation to communities in Southeastern Minnesota.” “Investments in public transit reduce traffic and make it easier for Minnesotans to get to school, work, and other destinations,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will go towards creating the modern, efficient public transit system families in Southeastern Minnesota need to reliably get around.” ###
U.S Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Announce Funding to Improve Bus Infrastructure in Eden Prairie
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, and Senator Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to strengthen bus and transportation infrastructure in Eden Prairie. One hundred and seventeen communities across the country are getting infrastructure upgrades thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation passed by President Biden in 2021 that has delivered infrastructure upgrades to nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. SouthWest Transit, the public transportation agency serving the Western metro area, will receive $520,436 from the Federal Transit Administration to rehabilitate the Southwest Station Park and Ride and bus garage. The project includes accessibility and security improvements for riders, as well as upgrades to the maintenance facilities to improve safety for workers. The project will support secure, accessible, and efficient transit service for travelers. “Each day, transit systems connect Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities – all while reducing traffic congestion and pollution,” said Senator Smith. “But for many people, especially those in rural areas, safe, reliable public transportation is hard to find. This funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will deliver faster, safer, and more energy efficient transportation to communities across the Western metro area.” “Investments in public transit reduce traffic and make it easier for Minnesotans to get to school, work, and other destinations,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will go towards creating the modern, efficient public transit system families in the West Metro need to reliably get around.” ###
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Strengthen Rural Public Transit
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded over $3.4 million in federal funding to strengthen public transit in rural Minnesota communities. Specifically, the resources will enable the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to boost transit efficiency and upgrade its bus fleet and bus facility infrastructure on lines servicing Greater Minnesota. “Investments in public transit help reduce traffic and make it easier for Minnesotans to get to school, work, and other destinations,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will make a real difference in rural communities across our state,
Sen. Smith Announces Significant Investment in Minnesota Youth Mental Health Programs
WASHINGTON [9.13.22] –Today, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that Minnesota will receive at least $800,000 in youth mental health grants. The grants – aimed at addressing increasing youth mental health conditions – are made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan, which Sen. Smith helped pass earlier this year. “As we continue to address the impacts of COVID-19, another crisis has emerged – the crisis of youth mental health. When I experienced depression, resources were there for me. But right now, too many people don’t have access to the mental health care they need,” said Senator Smith. “These
Senators Smith, Merkley, Colleagues Sound Alarm on Unlawful Charges for PrEP Patients
Washington, D.C. [9.8.22] – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a group of their colleagues in a letter pushing health insurance companies to explain their continued practice of unlawfully charging people for PrEP, a popular drug that’s prescribed to prevent HIV. The Senators’ letter follows a deeply flawed court ruling on Wednesday that further threatens access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on the basis of religious freedom. As the legal process moves forward, the Senators pressed the health insurance industry to abide by current law to provide medication and ancillary services without charge. “It has been
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Announce Significant Investment in Rochester Travel and Tourism Industry
WASHINGTON, [09/08/2022] – Today, Senators Klobuchar and Smith announced nearly half a million dollars in federal investment that will support the travel and tourism industry in Rochester. Specifically, the investment will support the city of Rochester with building renovations and improvements to the Mayo Civic Center and the Historic Chateau Theatre. The project will support around 300 jobs while boosting the tourism industry and advancing economic resilience in the region. The investment is made possible by the American Rescue Plan, which Klobuchar and Smith helped pass earlier this year. “This funding will create good-paying jobs and make infrastructure improvements to
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