Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Joins Colleagues to Prevent College Students from Being Billed For Textbooks Without Their Consent
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined her colleagues Dick Durbin (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) in sending a letter to the Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging him to finalize proposed changes that would make “Inclusive Access” (IA) and “Equitable Access” (EA) programs – models that allow institutions of higher education to automatically charge a student’s federal student aid for textbooks without a student’s consent – into an opt-in program, rather than an opt-out program. Currently, colleges and universities can partner with textbook publishers like McGraw Hill, Pearson, and Cengage to deliver textbooks digitally, charging students in the process through IA and EA programs. Although IA and EA models are more affordable for students than the sticker price of a new, hardcover textbook, they are often still more expensive than open textbooks, used textbooks or rental options. And while students can opt-out of IA and EA programs, the opt-out process is often difficult to navigate and lacks transparency. “The Department’s proposed changes to the Cash Management regulations would eliminate an institution’s ability to automatically bill students for books and supplies, effectively shifting the textbook industry’s so-called ‘Inclusive Access’ and ‘Equitable Access’ programs from an opt-out model to an opt-in model. This would allow students to choose how to spend their financial aid dollars on books and supplies. It would empower them to take advantage of affordable alternatives, such as used and open textbooks,” the lawmakers wrote. Senator Smith helped introduce the Affordable College Textbook Act and the Open-Textbook Pilot Program. The Pilot is a competitive grant program to support the creation and expansion of open college textbooks
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads Efforts to Address the Rural EMS Crisis with Statewide Tour
MINNESOTA [4.16.24] – As access to emergency medical services continues to be a top issue for leaders in the Minnesota State Legislature, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) has been active in working toward federal solutions to the crisis. She and her staff have held meetings across Minnesota, from Hibbing to Barnesville, Blackduck, and New Richland, where local EMS leaders conveyed that first responders are in dire financial straits. Senator Smith has been urging Congress to act on this crisis and is an original cosponsor of a bill to provide Medicare reimbursement for care provided by EMS when no transportation to the hospital is provided, called the Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene Care and Support (EMS ROCS) Act. Senator Smith stressed that joint efforts with state and local governments will be essential to fully address this crisis and is committed to ensuring all Minnesotans can live safe and healthy lives wherever they choose to live. In recent years, several states have passed laws to make EMS an essential service – Minnesota is not one of them, meaning the state government isn’t required to fund them. At the Minnesota State Legislature, there is a bipartisan EMS Task Force that is working to address the EMS crisis at the state level. “Everyone deserves a timely, fully equipped response in times of crisis. EMS workers also deserve a fair and decent wage, regardless of where they live,” said Senator Smith. “While the Minnesota Legislature continues to work toward state solutions, I’m going to keep pushing
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Delivers for Minnesotans as Treasury Department Says Social Security Beneficiaries Do Not Need to File Tax Returns to Receive COVID-19 Cash Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/02/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) shared that late last night the U.S. Treasury Department heeded concerns voiced by Sen. Smith and her colleagues and announced that Social Security recipients will automatically receive direct cash assistance included in the third bipartisan emergency coronavirus relief package—known as the CARES Act—without having to file tax returns. This follows an earlier call on Wednesday from Sens. Smith and her Democratic Senate colleagues—led by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)—raising alarm over guidance the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued earlier this week that said Social Security beneficiaries would need to file tax returns
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Cruise Ships Carrying Minnesotans and Other Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [04/01/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement calling for the Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise ships operated by Holland America Line to be allowed to dock in order for passengers—including the Minnesotans aboard—to disembark safely in a way that protects both their health and public safety amid coronavirus (COVID-19). Sen. Smith has been actively working to help find a solution for getting passengers off the Zaandam—which currently has four deceased people and over 150 others with flu-like symptoms aboard—as well as the Rotterdam cruise ship, which has passengers who report not having symptoms. Sen. Smith has
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Provides Guidance for How Minnesotans Can Access Assistance Passed in Bipartisan Coronavirus Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/31/20]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) provided guidance on how Minnesotans can access resources made available to them from the emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) legislation passed by Congress and signed into law last week, including how much people will receive in payments, information on unemployment insurance (UI), and resources available to small businesses. Sen. Smith’s resource also addresses support for student loans, child care, schools, local and Tribal governments, and hospitals and health systems. You can access Sen. Smith’s answers to frequently asked questions here or below: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the $2 Trillion Funding Package Passed to Respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic On
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Democratic Senate Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Expand Child Care Options for Workers and Families, Provide Guidance for Providers During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/31/20]—Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—along with 20 of their Democratic Senate colleagues—urged the Office of Child Care within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take additional steps to expand child care options for health care workers and others on the frontlines responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The senators also advocated for providers by urging the Office of Child Care to provide critical guidance so centers that remain open know how to take appropriate action to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, and to share details of how the emergency funding
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