Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Access to Drinking Water in Otsego
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $3.4 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to improve access to drinking water in Otsego. Specifically, these resources will enable the design and construction of a drinking water treatment plant for the city. “This project will enable critical improvements to Otsego’s water infrastructure that will boost the health and safety of families across the city,” said Klobuchar. “I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure this funding, and I know that these resources will make a real difference in Otsego.” “The City of Otsego’s drinking water treatment improvement project is an important investment in the safety and health of the people living there. Access to clean drinking water is critical for keeping people safe and healthy. I’m proud of the work we did with local leaders to fund this project,” said Smith. Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months.
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Access to Drinking Water in Lafayette
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $1 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to improve access to drinking water in Lafayette. Specifically, these resources will be used to expand the city’s drinking and wastewater services to all residents within the city limits. “By expanding access to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, this project will help boost the health and safety of so many families in Lafayette,” said Klobuchar. “I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure this funding, and I know that these resources will make a real difference in Lafayette.” “Keeping our water clean and safe is important for safeguarding public health,” said Smith. “Securing this funding for water treatment infrastructure will benefit people living in Lafayette by lowering costs and keeping their water free from contamination. I am proud of the work we did with local leaders to make this project possible.” The project will go towards a new building for a reverse osmosis (RO) system to the City’s water treatment plant process to improve water quality. Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months.
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Help Tribal Communities Address Opioid Epidemic
Ahead of a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing today on the opioid crisis in Indian Country, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith introduced a bill to help tribal communities in Minnesota and across the country access the resources they need to support people who are struggling with mental illness or substance use disorders. Tribal communities have been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. According to a leading health agency, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience the highest drug overdose death rates. However, many tribal communities don’t have the resources they need to tackle this public health crisis. Sen. Smith’s Native Behavioral Health Access
Sen. Tina Smith Presses Veterans Department to Explain Life-Endangering Failures in New Digital Health System
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to explain several serious issues with a digital health system designed for clinics and hospitals that treat millions of veterans and service members. The system, which is being tested right now at a handful of military hospitals and is set to be scaled up nationwide in the years to come, has been mired so far by glitches and dangerous errors that put patients at risk. According to a report from Politico, the initial rollout of the MHS Genesis EHR system has resulted in substantial slowdowns, serious medical errors, and a
Senator Tina Smith Urges Agriculture Department to Hear From Minnesotans as Part of Fight to Combat Opioid Epidemic
U.S. Senator Tina Smith is continuing her push to address the opioid epidemic by calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to host a rural opioid misuse roundtable in Minnesota. This comes after introducing a bill last week to help tribes across the country access the resources they need to address mental health and substance use disorders. Earlier this month, the USDA announced it will be holding a series of monthly meetings on opioids in Pennsylvania, Utah, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Maine. Sen. Smith understands the toll the opioid and drug overdose epidemic is having on families and rural communities across Minnesota, and that’s
Sen. Tina Smith Ramps up Workforce Development Efforts; Plans to Author Legislation after Gathering Minnesota Input
Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced that over the next two weeks she will be traveling across the state to talk with Minnesotans about expanding workforce development opportunities. Sen. Smith said there are many good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year college degree or taking on loads of student debt. At a series of upcoming meetings, she’ll talk about these jobs while also gathering input from students, community leaders, businesses, and local schools about addressing workforce preparedness issues like the “skills gap.” Once she gets back to Washington, Sen. Smith will author legislation—based on her meetings—to help as many Minnesotans as
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