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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the House of Representatives passed legislation that included $2,965,000 in funding for a project to upgrade Ramsey County first responder radios. This project, which Klobuchar and Smith worked to include, will help ensure emergency and public safety communications networks remain intact and keep residents and emergency responders safe. Klobuchar and Smith requested the funding along with U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN). The bill now goes to the Senate for final passage.
“This project will make essential upgrades to Ramsey County’s first responder radios, ensuring they have the tools they need to keep our communities safe. With House passage, this project is one step closer to securing the new first responder radios,” said Klobuchar.
“Every day, first responders in Ramsey County put their lives on the line to protect their communities,” said Smith. “They deserve to have updated, functioning equipment to help them do their jobs, but their radios are outdated and failing. This funding would replace these radios and replace power generators at radio towers, allowing first responders and public safety personnel to efficiently and effectively do their jobs.”
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.
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