Latest Releases
Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bicameral Bill to Support Apprenticeship Colleges
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) reintroduced the bipartisan Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2023 to help increase enrollment in apprenticeship programs. The legislation would provide grant funding to help apprenticeship colleges expand outreach to potential students and employers, improve academic advising programs and address common barriers to degree completion like childcare access and support for first-generation students. Apprenticeship colleges are institutions of higher education that sponsor registered apprenticeship programs. “Apprenticeship programsare a proven and effective way to prepare students for the working world, connect them to good-paying jobs and in-demand careers,” said Senator Smith. “This bill will help support Apprenticeship Colleges and make them more accessible for students. Supporting a well-trained workforce is a win for students, employers and the economy.” Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) introduced companion legislation in the House. “I’m working to create good-paying careers for Minnesotans and ensure every young person knows that they have the opportunity to succeed,” said Rep. Craig. “Our state is strong when our workforce is strong, and that’s why I’m working across the aisle with Rep. Stauber to give more students and employers the hands-on support they need.” “Our rural economy in northern Minnesota is dependent on skilled trade workers. I’m pleased to reintroduce the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act along with Representative Craig to help combat the shortage of these workers. Apprenticeships are key for hands-on learning opportunities and institutions like the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest provide crucial workforce pipelines. They stand
Senator Smith Reintroduces Bill to Deploy Broadband to Underserved Rural and Tribal Communities
WASHINGTON [5.16.23] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith reintroduced legislation—the Community Connect Grant Program Act—to reauthorize a key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program. The bill would make improvements to the grant program, making investments available for broadband projects in tribal, low-income, and remote rural areas. “Broadband is the infrastructure of the 21st Century—it isn’t just nice, it’s essential if we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone,” said Sen. Smith. “It is absolutely necessary whether you’re a student working on homework, a business owner selling products, a farmer using modern equipment, or a person who is trying to access health care. This bill is a step forward and will help connect more Minnesotans and people across the nation with affordable, reliable internet service.” “We appreciate Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) efforts to update the United States Department of Agriculture’s Community Connect Grant program,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of the Rural Broadband Association. “We are proud to support the Community Grant Program Act of 2023, which would update the program’s requirements and standards to better meet the modern needs of consumers and improve coordination to ensure resources are going to areas most in need. The bill will strengthen a valuable program for rural areas and further the shared goal of getting every American connected.” The USDA Community Connect program through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) helps fund broadband deployment into rural communities. In addition to authorizing the program and targeting areas that lack access across the nation, Sen. Smith’s bill would increase internet
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Fights to Increase Diversity in Corporate Leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/6/20]—This week U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) helped introduce a bill led by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) to ensure transparency and encourage corporate leadership so that corporate boards reflect our nation’s diversity. Despite a strong business case for diverse leadership, corporate boards do not reflect the gender, racial and ethnic diversity of the United States. According to a recent study, women and people of color occupy only 38% of board seats at Fortune 100 companies and 34% at Fortune 500 companies. “The truth is, when we work to empower people from different races, ethnicities, and genders, we all benefit—and the economy does too,” said Sen.
Senators Klobuchar, Smith Help Pass Emergency Funding for Coronavirus Response and Preparedness
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) voted to secure $7.8 billion in emergency funding for coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness and response efforts, including support for state and local health agencies, vaccine and treatment development, and low-interest loans for small businesses affected by the outbreak, and an additional $500 million to expand telehealth services for seniors in small towns and rural areas who receive Medicare benefits. The emergency funding also includes at least $40 million for Tribal health entities to ensure Tribal communities have the resources needed to respond to the virus outbreak. The state of Minnesota
U.S. Senators Klobuchar & Smith Announce Grants Totaling More Than $2 Million to Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/05/20]—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that the National Science Foundation has awarded more than $2 million to fund projects at Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University aimed at addressing the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teacher shortage in Minnesota. “As we work to address teacher shortages across Minnesota and our country, we must invest in students who want to serve their communities as educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM),” said Sen. Klobuchar “These National Science Foundation awards promoting STEM education will help Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University
U.S. Senator Tina Smith & Democratic Senate Colleagues Defend Right of Department of Defense Civilian Workers to Engage in Collective Bargaining
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/04/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) urged Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper to make sure the Pentagon upholds workplace protections and safeguards the collective bargaining rights of Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees. Sen. Smith—in an effort with the entire Senate Democratic Caucus led by Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I)—wrote to Secretary Esper following a Trump Administration memorandum directing Sec. Esper to consider abolishing collective bargaining rights for as many as 750,000 of DoD’s civilian workers, including a diverse workforce of janitors, firefighters, food service workers, teachers, depot maintenance technicians, welders and other professionals. The senators strongly disagree with the President’s claims
English