Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Tribal Leaders Announce Tribal Public Safety Projects
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, announced funding for seven public safety initiatives for four Minnesota Tribes. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and White Earth Nation received federal funding ranging between $450,000 and $900,000 for various Tribal programs aimed at increasing Tribal capacity to respond to violent crime, opioid abuse, and assist victims. Projects will be tailored to each Tribe’s unique needs, from expanding Tribal Courts’ capacities for home visits and supervision, to hiring staff to investigate child abuse and neglect cases, to onboarding personnel who coordinate resources to help those dealing with opioid addiction. Tribal leadership in Minnesota have long advocated for greater federal assistance for Tribal public safety efforts to respond to the opioid epidemic and violent crime. “Tribal leaders have been consistently clear that they need more support from the federal government to combat the opioid epidemic and prosecute crimes on their lands, and we have a trust responsibility to assist Tribal governments to keep their people safe,” said Senator Tina Smith. “Tribes know best how to reduce crime and substance abuse on their lands. These grants are directly supporting Tribally-driven solutions to these challenges.” “This grant is crucial in enhancing our ability to respond to the opioid epidemic. By bringing on additional staff, we will improve our efforts to connect those affected by addiction with the resources they need for recovery. Our goal is to reduce
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Staples Municipal Airport
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for Staples Municipal Airport for infrastructure improvements. The grant provides $838,242 to construct a new 9,600 square foot hangar for aircraft storage. “Staples Municipal Airport is an essential link for residents and businesses in Wadena County 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 Staples Municipal Airport are vital parts of their communities and this funding will go directly towards building an aircraft storage facility to ensure all planes are safely stored and secured.” 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 Tina Smith’s Statement on Manchin’s Climate Change Reversal
Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to Senator Joe Manchin backing out – again – of negotiations on climate change legislation: “It’s infuriating and nothing short of tragic that Senator Manchin is walking away, again, from taking essential action on climate and clean energy. The world is literally burning up while he joins every single Republican to stop strong action to cut emissions and speed the transition to clean energy for the survival of our planet, clean air and health, energy independence, and lower energy prices. One Senator should not have
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Expand Broadband Access in Minnesota
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Department of the Treasury has awarded $68.4 million in federal funding to expand broadband access in Minnesota. The funding, enabled by the Treasury Department’s Capital Projects Fund created through the American Rescue Plan, will provide $68.4 million in federal funding to Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program (B2B Grant Program), allowing broadband providers to service more than 23,000 homes and businesses across the state that lack high-speed internet. “We’re really, really excited about this Capital Fund award…This funding is expected to help us with an estimated
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces Hearing Aimed at Addressing Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/14/22]—Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) – Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development (HTCD) – announced she will be leading a hearing on homelessness and opportunities to support veterans and others who face challenges with housing. Members of the subcommittee will hear from Ms. Ann Oliva, Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness; Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; Ms. Cathy ten Broeke, Assistant Commissioner and Executive Director, Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness (MICH); Ms. Isabel McDevitt, Co-Founder and Board President Work Works America; and Ms. Jamie Kirsch, Board Member,
Sen. Smith Announces USDA Funding to Bolster Food Supply Chain Resilience
WASHINGTON, D.C. [07/13/22] – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing over $14 million to support agricultural workforce training in historically underserved communities across the country. This investment is a result of funding in the American Rescue Plan to strengthen the nation’s food supply chain by promoting fair and competitive agricultural markets. “Underserved communities in Minnesota and across the country, often those in rural areas, are most severely impacted by interruptions in the food supply chain,” said Sen. Smith, a member of the Senate Agricultural Committee. “Investing in agricultural education is key
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