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.” ###
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar & Patty Murray Push Relief for Exclave Communities, Including Minnesota’s Northwest Angle and Washington’s Point Roberts
WASHINGTON, D.C. [4/29/21]—Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), along with Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), introduced legislation that would provide relief to Minnesotans in the Northwest Angle and Washingtonians in Point Roberts that have been hurt by COVID-19 travel restrictions between the United States and Canada. Their 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 route is a 40-mile boat trip across Lake of the Woods. Sens. Smith
U.S. Sen. Smith: Convicting Derek Chauvin for the Murder of George Floyd is Moment of Accountability, Moment to Recommit Ourselves to Movement for Racial Justice
WASHINGTON, D.C. [4/21/21]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after the verdict was announced in the Derek Chauvin trial: “Convicting Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd is a moment of accountability, and also a moment to recommit ourselves to the movement for racial justice his tragic murder sparked. “Millions of people took to the streets because we couldn’t look away from the reality of George Floyd’s murder and we could see change had to come. I can’t stop thinking about all the Black and Brown people denied their civil rights and denied their lives, where
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Farms Adopt Conservation, Climate Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/19/21]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith recently introduced bipartisan legislation to help farmers adopt conservation and climate practices to sustain their farms, boost bottom lines and protect the environment. The Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act, led by Sen. Smith and Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) would create a USDA competitive grant program to help farmers make these improvements. Sen. Smith said that universities will provide farmers who are participating in the grant program with individualized advice to help them meet their conservation goals. This unique partnership creates an opportunity for new research and ideas to be applied to farming operations. “Strong farm programs that encourage conservation and climate practices will help farmers maintain sustainable and productive operations well into the future,” said
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on the Passing of Vice President Walter Mondale
Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement on the passing of Vice President Walter Mondale: “I loved Walter Mondale and I’m not the only one. Mondale was a giant not only because of the positions he held—Minnesota Attorney General, U.S. Senator, Vice President, Democratic Presidential Candidate and Ambassador—but because of the work that he did. He provided his strong, compassionate, clear, and fearless voice to the world for over six decades, and he never stopped. Whether it was working with Marian Wright Edelman to lift children out of poverty, fighting to repair the damage of housing discrimination
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