Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Enhance Lake Street Corridor in Minneapolis
WASHINGTON, [8.17.22] – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $12 million in federal funding to Hennepin County to enhance the roadway along the Lake Street corridor in Minneapolis. Specifically, the grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will help alleviate traffic congestion, improve the efficiency of public transportation, and make the street more accessible for people with disabilities. “Lake Street is the heart of South Minneapolis, with its restaurants, shops, and businesses attracting customers from across the Twin Cities,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help boost public transit access and reduce traffic on one of Minneapolis’ busiest roads, allowing more people to safely and efficiently reach Lake Street.” “Lake Street is one of Minneapolis’ most cherished areas. It’s always busy with people enjoying the restaurants, small businesses, and cultural organizations stretching from Bde Maka Ska to the Mississippi River,” said Smith, chair of the Transit Subcommittee. “This investment will improve the efficiency of public transportation by adding bus lanes, reduce traffic congestion with the addition of turn lanes, and make critical ADA improvements to ensure people of all abilities can safely access and enjoy all that Lake Street has to offer.” These resources will allow Minneapolis to repave the road, construct turn lanes, create bus-only lanes, and allow 4-to-3 lane conversions to boost safety and improve traffic flow. The funding will also allow for important American with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades, including adding pedestrian ramps and Accessible
Klobuchar, Smith Introduce Legislation to Support Volunteer Drivers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced legislation to support volunteer drivers. The Volunteer Driver Tax Parity Act would lower the financial burden that volunteer drivers face by increasing the charitable mileage tax reimbursement rate for drivers from $0.14 to $0.625 per mile for a two-year period. “Volunteer drivers are vital to rural communities across our state, helping seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and others access important necessities such as meals and health care,” said Klobuchar. “By increasing the charitable mileage tax reimbursement rate, this legislation will help alleviate the financial challenges that many volunteer drivers face, ensuring that they can continue to serve their communities.” “Minnesota’s seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities all rely on volunteer drivers to provide crucial services such as access to food, medication and transport,” said Smith. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation, which will increase the charitable mileage tax reimbursement rate and lower the financial burden for these volunteers. By more fairly compensating them for their services, we can help ensure volunteers are able to continue helping the people who rely on them.” The Volunteer Driver Tax Parity Act would: Increase the charitable mileage reimbursement rate from $0.14 to $0.625 per mile for a two-year period in order to address financial challenges placed on volunteer drivers; Set the permanent rate for volunteer drivers at $0.24 following the two-year period to adjust for inflation; Ensure that the IRS has the ability to adjust charitable mileage reimbursement rate accordingly to inflationary
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith: Federal Judge’s Decision Threatens Vital Health Care Coverage for Millions of Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/14/18]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement after a federal judge in Texas deemed provisions of the landmark Affordable Health Care Act unconstitutional. “The ruling by a federal judge in Texas today to undermine historic health care legislation—if the decision is allowed to stand—would be catastrophic. This ruling would rob millions of their health care coverage, and would return us to the days when Americans could be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions, like cancer or diabetes, or allow women to be charged more for health insurance. Americans made their voices heard to stop repeal last year, and
Tina Smith Sworn in as U.S. Senator from Minnesota, Wednesday
WASHINGTON, D.C. [1/03/19]—Today, Tina Smith (D-Minn.) was sworn in as U.S. Senator for Minnesota. Sen. Smith was elected to the seat in November, giving her a new term that runs until January, 2021. “It’s been an honor to represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate for the past year and I’m excited to continue my work on behalf of all Minnesotans as the new Congress begins today,” Sen. Smith said. “After traveling across Minnesota for the past year and hearing from people, I know that we still have a lot of work to do to bring economic opportunity to families, businesses and
U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Colleagues Plan to Introduce Legislation to Ensure Low-Wage Federal Contract Employees Receive Back Pay
WASHINGTON, D.C. [01/04/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), along with her colleagues Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), pledged to stand up for low-wage federal contract workers by announcing plans to introduce legislation to secure back pay for the contractor employees who have gone without pay during the government shutdown. Each day, thousands of contractor employees provide critical services to support the federal government, often at low wages, and many have been furloughed or forced to accept reduced work hours as a result of the government shutdown. Many
In Floor Speech, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Shares Stories From Minnesota Air Traffic Controllers Hurt by Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON D.C. [01/10/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), took to the Senate floor to share letters from Minnesota air traffic controllers hurt by the ongoing government shutdown. Sen. Smith had asked Minnesotans to share stories on how the shutdown has affected them, and received dozens of letters from air traffic controllers not receiving pay. Among the several letters she read on the Senate floor, Sen. Smith shared a letter from a new father named Joseph from Lakeville, MN. Joseph said that his son Oliver was born on New Year’s Eve and has been in intensive care since, and said that both he and
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