Al in the News
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MPR: Franken focuses on Uber and Lyft privacy policies
Sen. Franken recently spoke with Minnesota Public Radio on his concerns about how ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft handle sensitive information like consumers' location data. Click here to read more.
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CNN: Sen. Franken and Candy Crowley Discuss Net Neutrality
Sen. Franken has been among the most vocal advocates of keeping the Internet open for all Americans, calling net neutrality the free speech issue of our time. He recently sat down with CNN's Candy Crowley on "State of the Union" to talk about net neutrality and his support for President Obama's proposal to keep the Internet equal for all. Click here to read more about their disucssion.
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MinnPost: Sen. Franken supports call for Internet to be regulated as a utility
Since arriving in the Senate, Sen. Franken has been fighting to protect net neutrality, which is the principle that all content on the Internet be treated the same. But that concept has been under attack, with the big Internet Service Providers-companies like Comcast, Verizon, and Time-Warner Cable-urging the creation of fast lanes and slow lanes. That's why Sen. Franken welcomed news that President Obama added his voice to the growing chorus of supporters who want to ensure that the Internet remains the open platform it's always been.
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Fargo Forum: Employers tell Franken they're worried about filling region's demand for skilled workers.
Sen. Franken visited Moorhead to talk with employers and Minnesota State Community and Technical College to learn about their efforts to prepare students for high-skilled, open jobs. Click here to read news coverage from the Fargo Forum.
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Minnesota Daily: Senate Republicans Block Sen. Frankens Student Loan Refinancing Bill
Since joining the Senate, Sen. Franken has made it one of his top priorities to tackle college affordability. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans recently blocked his Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would have allowed students to refinance their student loan debt at lower rates offered to new borrowers. The Minnesota Daily reports.
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MultiChannel News: Sen. Franken Stands Behind Net Neutrality
At a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Franken laid out his argument for why the FCC needs to restore net neutrality rules. Multichannel News reports:
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Star Tribune: Sen. Franken Applauds New Federal Program to Help Stop Overseas Extremists from Recruiting Minnesotans
After Sen. Franken called on the DOJ to double down on efforts to halt terrorist recruitment in Minnesota, the DOJ did just that. Click here to read the Star Tribune report.
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Brainerd Dispatch: Sen. Franken Helps Brainerd Family Locate Grandfathers Portrait in the Pentagon
Thanks to the work of Sen. Al Franken, a Brainerd family was able to discover a portrait painted to honor their grandfather, a World War II aviator who received the Distinguished Service Cross and a Purple Heart for his military record. After the family travelled to Washington to see the portrait in person, the Brainerd Dispatch reported.
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Star Tribune: Troops, families gather in Minneapolis to reconnect
Sen. Franken was thrilled to spend time last week with National Guard and Reserve members and their families as part of the Minnesota National Guard's "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" program.
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Bemidji Pioneer: Franken touts federal workforce bill: Says bipartisan legislation will help skills gap in Minnesota
Sen. Franken's help in passing the first comprehensive update to the nation's workforce development system in 16 years will give a much-needed shot in the arm to our existing federal workforce programs, the Bemidji Pioneer reports. Since joining the Senate, Sen. Franken has visited community and technical colleges all across the state to discuss how schools and businesses can help prepare students for their careers.
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Star Tribune: Minnesota inspires U.S. revamp of job training
Click here to read the Minneapolis' Star Tribune's coverage of the legislation that includes Sen. Franken's priorities to help community and technical colleges link up with businesses to fill open, high-skill jobs in growing sectors like manufacturing, IT, and energy.
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KSTP: Franken Tours Flood Damage, Mudslide in Mpls.
Sen. Franken toured the mudslide near Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, which caused more than $4 million in damage and forced the Hospital to relocate large oxygen tanks. After meeting with hospital officials, Sen. Franken reiterated the need for federal assistance-not only in Hennepin County, but in flood damaged communities across the state-telling reporters that he had "never seen a massive mudslide like this" in the state.
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KAAL: Spring Grove Navy Veteran Honored Posthumously
Click here to read about how Sen. Franken helped secure several of Minnesota WWII Navy Veteran Lewis Meaney's service medals and award them to his family.
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The Hill: Senators slam agency report on NSA spying
Sens. Al Franken and Dean Heller, a Republican from Nevada, called a recent public report from the Obama Administration on government surveillance programs "insufficient," and said that the report did not give Americans enough basic information about key surveillance programs. The Senators underscored the need for their bipartisan bill to help give the American people the transparency the deserve.
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Wall Street Journal: SEC Is Gearing Up to Focus on Ratings Firms
Sen. Franken's bipartisan amendment to end the pay-to-play scheme rampant in the credit rating industry was in the spotlight recently after the SEC announced that it will investigate transparency within the "big three" credit rating firms. Since his amendment first passed in 2010 as part of the Wall Street Reform Law, Sen. Franken has been pressing to get it fully implemented and help prevent Minnesota families from being hurt by another financial meltdown.
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New York Times: DirecTV and AT&T Make Case to Congress
Sen. Franken, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed AT&T and DirecTV executives recently about whether or not their proposed deal to merge would be good for the public. At the hearing, Sen. Franken expressed concern that the merger will not lower prices for consumers, contrary to what the two companies argue.
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Austin Daily Herald: Walz, Franken stop in Albert Lea
After severe flooding hit Minnesota hard recently, Sen. Franken travelled around the state to meet with communities whose farms and homes were severely damaged. Farming families are essential to Minnesota's economy, and Sen. Franken was glad to see communities, local officials, and federal lawmakers working together to swiftly address the storm damage.
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Star Tribune: Sen. Franken: Student loan bill will get done
Though Senator Franken's student loan refinancing bill was blocked by Senate Republicans, he said he remains optimistic about the future of student loan reform and vows to do what he can to help bring down the cost of college for Minnesotans.
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The Hill: Franken: Stalking apps must be shut down
Earlier this month, Sen. Franken held a hearing about "stalking apps"-smartphone applications that let abusers secretly track their victims. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Sen. Franken has introduced legislation to put an end to these apps once and for all, and earlier this month he invited leaders from the National Consumers League and the National Network to End Domestic Violence to share why we need to put an end to these apps.
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FOX Twin Cities: Sen. Franken Brings Attention to Injustice Faced by Minnesota Woman Stripped of Citizenship
The Expatriation Act of 1907 prevented Daniel Swalm's Iron-range-born grandmother, Elsie Moren, from keeping her U.S. citizenship after marrying a legal Swedish immigrant. After hearing Elsie's story, Sen. Franken introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing women like Elsie who faced the injustice of having no citizenship, no voting rights, and nowhere to call home. The resolution recently passed with full support in the Senate. FOX Twin Cities reports.
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Northlands NewsCenter: Sen. Franken Praises Bill to Improve Waterways in Minnesota, Across Country
Sen. Franken lauded the passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, a bill recently signed into law by the President, which will improve the Great Lakes, Mississippi River, and waterways throughout Minnesota. Sen. Franken has been fighting for these critical water infrastructure investments since he got to the Senate. Northland's NewsCenter reports.
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Rochester Post Bulletin: Sen. Franken Leads Efforts to Help Minnesotans Refinance Student Loan Debt
The Rochester Post Bulletin Editorial Board recently praised Sen. Franken for his efforts to help millions of people in Minnesota and across the country refinance their burdensome student loan debt.
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Star Tribune: Sen. Franken Presses Administration to Support Biodiesel
At a recent event on Capitol Hill, Sen. Franken-Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee-put pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect renewable fuels like biodiesel and ethanol by abandoning its proposal to weaken the Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS.
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MinnPost: Sen. Franken Press for Bill to Allow Students to Refinance Loan Debt
Sen. Franken has been working hard in the Senate to make college more affordable for students and their families. Sen. Franken—a member of the Senate Education Committee—joined Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren to outline their legislation to give everyone a fair shot at affording college.
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NPRs Marketplace: Only neutrality will keep net free, says Franken
In an interview with NPR's Marketplace, Sen. Franken expressed his deep concern about the implications of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler's newly proposed net neutrality rules. The Chairman's proposal would create an Internet "fast lane" for deep-pocketed corporations to prioritize their content. Marketplace reports:
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TIME: "Al Franken Says FCC Proposed Rules Are 'The Opposite of Net Neutrality'"
Click here to read Sen. Franken's interview with TIME where he expressed his deep concern about FCC Chairman Wheeler's newly proposed net neutrality rules.
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CNET: Al Frankens crusade to stop Comcast and save media
Click here to read an interview with CNET where Sen. Franken expresses his opposition to the consolidation of Comcast and Time Warner Cable.
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Minnesota Daily Editorial Praises Sen. Franken for Work on College Affordability Bill
Click here to read an editorial from the University of Minnesota newspaper the Minnesota Daily endorsing Sen. Franken's work to provide students students with early, individualized estimates of higher education costs and financial aid figures.
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National Journal: Franken: New FCC Rules Would Destroy Open Internet
As a strong advocate for preserving an open Internet, Sen. Franken expressed his deep concern about Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler's recently proposed rules to upend net neutrality. The proposed rules would allow Internet providers to charge companies a fee for preferred access to their customers. This would create an Internet "fast lane" that could exclude small businesses and increase prices for customers.
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The New York Times: Frankens Campaign Against Comcast Is No Joke
As a vocal leader against media consolidation and a champion for consumers, Sen. Franken continues to argue against Comcast's proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable. The New York Times reports on Sen. Franken's ongoing efforts to prevent Comcast from monopolizing the cable and Internet industries, which would lead to increased prices, fewer options, and worse service for consumers.
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CNET: Sen. Franken: Comcast cant have it both ways
In the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Comcast's proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable, Sen. Franken continued to express his concern that the merger of the number one and number two cable providers and number one and number three Internet providers will lead to higher prices, fewer options, and worse service for consumers.
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New York Times: Sen. Franken works to take the guesswork out of college financial aid process
The New York Times explored the challenges of applying for, and deciphering, different financial aid options during the college process. There isn't a universal system for receiving financial aid or comparing aid between schools, however, this is a problem that can be fixed. Sen. Franken has introduced legislation that would require colleges to use a uniformed financial aid letter to help simplify the process.
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Brainerd Dispatch: Family discovers painting of late World War II Brainerd veteran hangs in the Pentagon
Sen. Franken's office helped trace a painting of a World War II Brainerd veteran to the Pentagon, where it is now displayed. The Schellin family reached out to Sen. Franken's office about the painting of their father, who was a staff sergeant with the Air Force, and Sen. Franken was able to confirm that the painting hangs in the Pentagon as part of the U.S. Air Force's Art Collection. Sen. Franken is helping arrange for the family to visit Washington, D.C and visit the Pentagon.
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MPR: Franken pushes bill aimed at stalking apps
Sen. Franken spoke to MPR's Cathy Wurzer about his efforts to pass legislation to stop technology that tracks your location through your smartphone without your knowledge. MPR reported:
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The Star Tribune: Franken wants free school lunch for more low-income students
Sen. Franken believes that children learn better when they aren't hungry. And for some kids, a nutritious school lunch may be the only meal they receive during the day. To help ensure that school children aren't refused lunch because they can't afford it, he's proposed a new measure that would help states cover the cost of lunch for low-income students. The Star Tribune reported on Sen. Franken's recent visit to Meadow Lake Elementary School in New Hope:
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ARS Technica: Al Franken: Dont let Comcast manipulate Internet traffic
Sen. Franken—one of the most vocal advocates for net neutrality—has expressed his concern about the proposed Comcast-Time Warner Cable deal. He recently stepped up his opposition to the accusation by asking the Department of Justice to examine the net neutrality implications of the proposed acquisition.
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ABC News: Sen. Franken Hosts 4th Annual Hotdish Competition
Sen. Franken was joined by the entire Minnesota congressional delegation for his 4th annual Hotdish Off. The friendly, bipartisan competition showcased the lawmakers' cooking skills-each member made their own hotdish, and two former Minnesota congressmen judged the dishes. For the second straight year, Rep. Tim Walz from southern Minnesota took home the grand prize with his "Turkey Trot Tater Tot Hotdish."
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Reuters: U.S. Sen. Franken sees higher prices if Comcast buys Time Warner Cable
Comcast is already the biggest cable and Internet provider in the country. Time Warner Cable is the second biggest cable provider, and third largest Internet provider. And after Comcast announced a $45 billion proposal to acquire Time-Warner Cable, Sen. Franken expressed serious concern that the deal would mean increased prices, fewer choices, and worse service for consumers. Reuters reported on Sen. Franken's letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler, asking him to consider Comcast's acquisition of NBC-Universal:
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Eden Prairie Sun Current: Sen. Franken Discussed Mental Health at Central Middle School
Click here to read the Eden Prairie Sun Current's coverage of Sen. Franken's visit to Central Middle School to talk about mental health care access in schools.
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Forbes: Sen. Franken Expresses Concern about Facial Recognition App
As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy and Technology, Sen. Franken has said he has serious privacy concerns about a new facial recognition app called NameTag, which lets strangers get personal information-including a person's name, photos, and dating website profiles-simply by looking at a person with a Google Glass device. This app would work on "jailbroken" Google Glass devices that have been modified to override Google's ban on facial recognition apps for Glass.
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Duluth News Tribune: Sen. Franken and Rep. Nolan Discuss Challenges of U.S. Economy, Remain Hopeful for Future
Sen. Franken spoke at the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce's annual luncheon about his work to help local businesses deal with the "skills gap"-where jobs go unfilled because businesses cannot find workers with the right training and skills. The Duluth News Tribune reported on Sen. Franken's efforts to help businesses partner with local community and technical schools to ensure that workers have the right skills to fill current job openings.
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Rochester Post-Bulletin: Franken says he'll fight cuts to ethanol mandate
Sen. Franken is pressing to change new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency that reduce the nation's commitment to home-grown renewable fuels by lowering the amount of ethanol that big oil companies must blend into the nation's fuel supply. The Rochester Post-Bulletin covered Sen. Franken's meeting with Minnesota farmers.
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The Hill: Franken presses Ford on use of GPS data
Concerned about consumer's privacy, Sen. Franken wrote to Ford Motor Company asking the company to clarify how they use and share customer's private location data. The Hill's Hillicon Valley technology blog reported.
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Tech Crunch: Sen. Al Franken Condemns Todays Net Neutrality Ruling
Sen. Franken has said that net neutrality-the principle that the Internet belongs to the people and that Internet Service Providers can't pick and choose which websites can load and how fast-is the free speech issue of our time, calling the Internet the public square of the 21st century and a marketplace for new businesses and new ideas. TechCrunch covered Sen. Franken's opposition to a recent D.C. appeals court's decision to strike down the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) rules for net neutrality.
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WDAZ: Sen. Franken Pushing to Get the Farm Bill Over the Finish Line
As the end of the year approaches, Sen. Franken continued to press Congress to finally complete work on a five-year Farm Bill. He spoke with WDAZ TV about how he remains optimistic that Congress can get this important measure over the finish line.
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Sen. Franken Working to Save Minnesota Students Money on College Textbooks
Sen. Franken's bill to tackle the rising cost of textbooks for college students has been endorsed by several student body leaders from the University of Minnesota. Click here to read more.
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Austin Daily Herald: Franken Emphasizes Rural Veteran Health Care
Click here to read about Sen. Franken's visit with Minnesota veterans in Austin to honor those who served and talk about what he is doing to get veterans the benefits they deserve.
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Sen. Franken visits Minnesota family farm to hear concerns over the Farm Bill
Sen. Franken toured a poultry farm in West Concord, Minn. and met with family farmers to discuss the need to pass a Farm Bill. The Rochester Post Bulletin reported on the meeting and his work to pass a Farm Bill:
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Sen. Franken Visits Forest Lake High School to Discuss the Future of Manufacturing in Minnesota
Sen. Franken recently toured Forest Lake High School in celebration of "Minnesota Manufacturing Week," and highlighted his efforts to create partnerships between Minnesota schools and businesses. During his visit, Sen. Franken applauded Forest Lake High School for its work to address the "skills-gap"-where jobs go unfilled because businesses cannot find workers with the right skills-and said he hopes the school can continue to build partnerships that promote high-demand jobs in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and information technology. The Forest Lakes Times printed a column by a former school teacher and administrator.
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Forbes: Sen. Franken Questions Apple on Privacy of New iPhone Fingerprint Technology
In an article written by Forbes, Sen. Franken—Chairman of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law—asked Apple how consumers' privacy will be treated with new technologies on the iPhone 5S, including a fingerprint scanner. Forbes reports.
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MinnPost: Franken presses Apple on new iPhone fingerprint technology privacy
Sen. Al Franken raised questions about the inclusion of fingerprint readers on Apple's new iPhone 5S and how it affects consumers privacy. The Apple iPhone5S features "Touch ID"—which allows users to scan their fingerprints instead of entering a passcode when using the phone. MinnPost reported on a letter Sen. Franken sent to Apple asking questions about how iPhone users in Minnesota and across the country can better understand how their personal information—such as their fingerprints—is being used.
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Detroit Lakes Tribune: Franken bill links skills to new jobs
Click here to read the Detroit Lakes Tribune's coverage of Sen. Franken's visit to Detroit Lakes.
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South Washington County Bulletin: Franken, McCollum hear from St. Paul Park Food Shelf on program cuts
Click here to read the South Washington County Bulletin's coverage of Sen. Franken and Rep. McCollum's visit to a St. Paul Park food shelf.
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MPR: Sen. Franken raises concerns about how sequester affects Minnesota seniors
Click here to read Minnesota Public Radio's coverage of Sen. Franken's community discussion on how to address the effect that across-the-board budget cuts will have on important services for Minnesota seniors.
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Mankato Free Press: Franken talks football, jobs in local visit
Click here to read about Sen. Franken's visit to Mankato to watch Vikings training camp and talk with local businesses and educators about training workers to fill job openings.
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Duluth News Tribune Editorial: Franken-Backed Child Protection Bill is a No-Brainer
Click here to read the Duluth News Tribune Editorial Board's support of Sen. Franken's commonsense legislation to help protect Minnesota children.
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Star Tribune: Sen. Franken-Championed Provision Working to Save Minnesotans Money
Click here to read about a provision authored by Sen. Franken that was included in the health reform law to hold insurance companies accountable for providing high-value coverage and save consumers money.
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Star Tribune: Sen. Al Franken pushes bill to end job skills gap
Millions of jobs around the country are currently unfilled because employers can't find qualified applicants-a problem commonly known as the "skills gap." Sen. Franken has introduced legislation to foster partnerships between community and technical colleges and businesses to train students to fill high-demand jobs in Minnesota and around the country. The legislation is based on successful partnerships happening in Minnesota, like the one Erick Ajax, the Vice President and Co-Owner of E.J. Ajax and Sons in Fridley, created with Hennepin Technical College and HIRED, a nonprofit, called M-Powered which is a fast-track training program in manufacturing. The Star Tribune reports:
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Winona Daily News Editorial: Working to close the skills gap
Click here to read the Winona Daily News Editorial Board's endorsement of Sen. Franken's bill to foster partnerships between community and technical colleges and businesses to train students to fill high-demand jobs.
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Star Tribune: Franken: Senates immigration law is an astonishingly good bill
The Star Tribune covered the immigration bill that recently passed the Senate which included several key amendments authored by Sen. Franken. At a press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol, Sen. Franken emphasized the benefits that the bipartisan legislation will bring to Minnesota's ag communities, small businesses, and the economy.
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MPR: Franken-Championed Rule Brings Health Insurance Rebates to Some Minnesotans
Sen. Franken championed a provision included in the health reform law to hold insurance companies accountable and rein in profits. MPR News reported that some Minnesota consumers will start recieving their rebate checks from 2012.
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Rolling Stone: Frustrated Franken Says Credit Rating Industry Conflict of Interest Still Exists
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) has been fighting to clean up the credit rating industry-which includes companies like S&P and Moody's-in order to protect Minnesotans from another financial meltdown like the one that happened in 2008. Rolling Stone magazine's Matt Taibbi dove into how credit rating agencieis contributed to the financial crisis and what is being done to fix the problem.
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Star Tribune Hot Dish Politics: Sen. Franken's Health Care Provision Saves Consumers Over $2 Billion
Sen.Franken championed a provision included in the health reform law to hold insurance companies accountable and rein in profits. The Medical Loss Ratio requires health insurers to spend at least 80 cents of every premium dollar is spent on actual health care, not wasteful administrative costs, marketing campaigns, CEO salaries, or profits. The Star Tribune reported on a new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation that this provision has saved consumers an estimated $2.1 billion.
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Detroit Lakes Tribune Editorial Board: Big Money could stymie Franken's reforms
The Detroit Lakes Tribune's Editorial Board recognized the problems rampant in the industry and urged SEC Chair Mary Jo White to make Sen. Franken's suggested reforms to regulate the credit rating industry and eliminate the conflict of interest.
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Duluth News Tribune: "Franken still frustrated with gas prices"
The Duluth News Tribune covered Sen. Franken's frustration over the recent spike of gas prices in Minnesota because of simultaneous refinery closings. With Minnesotans now paying among the highest prices for gas, he recently pressed a top Department of Energy official to explain how this kind of thing can be prevented in the future. Click here to read more.
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Star Tribune Editorial Board: "SEC should adopt Franken plan on credit rating agencies"
Sen. Al Franken made the case at a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Roundtable that the credit rating industry-which includes companies like S&P and Moody's-needs to be cleaned up in order to protect Minnesotans from another financial meltdown like the one that happened in 2008. The Star Tribune's Editorial Board recognized the problems rampant in the industry-namely that the credit rating agencies have been giving sterling ratings to complete junk and urged the SEC to regulate the industry and eliminate the conflict-of-interest.
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Mankato Free Press Editorial Board: SEC should act on ratings conflict
Sen. Al Franken made the case at a recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Roundtable that the credit rating industry-which includes companies like S&P and Moody's-needs to be cleaned up in order to protect Minnesotans from another financial meltdown like the one that happened in 2008. The Mankato Free Press' Editorial Board recognized the problems rampant in the industry-namely that the credit rating agencies have been giving sterling ratings to complete junk and urged the SEC to regulate the industry and eliminate the conflict-of-interest.
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Northland's Newcenter TV: "Sen. Franken Pushing to Reform Credit Rating Agencies"
Click here to watch Sen. Franken's interview with Northland's Newscenter about his work to reform the credit rating industry and prevent another economic collapse like the one in 2008.
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Star Tribune: Sen Franken pleads with SEC for reform
The Star Tribune covered a special roundtable discussion held by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the credit rating industry, during which Sen. Al Franken made the case that the industry needs to be cleaned up in order to protect Minnesotans against the effects of future financial meltdowns, like the 2008 collapse.
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Rochester Post-Bulletin: "Franken Speech Focuses on Military Families"
The Rochester Post-Bulletin covered Sen. Franken's visit with military families at the fourth annual Military Sisterhood meeting of the Southeast Minnesota Beyond the Yellow Ribbon chapter, a community support organization whose mission is to serve military families.
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WCCO: "Sen. Franken Presents Overdue Medal to Princeton Vet"
Click here to read WCCO coverage of Sen. Franken's presentation of the Prisoner of War service medal that Princeton Vet Duane Broten earned in Korea.
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Valley News Live: "Sen. Franken Visits the F-M"
Valley News Live covered Sen. Franken's recent visit to Moorhead. Sen. Franken toured the city with Mayor Mark Voxland and city workers to see what improvements have been made to the city to help it better prepare for future floods on the Red River. Click here to read Valley News Live's coverage.
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MPR: Franken, others tour SW Minn. storm damage, estimated at $10M
Minnesota Public Radio reported on Sen. Franken's visit to Southwest Minnesota after a sudden April ice storm uprooted trees and caused damage across the region. Sen. Franken will be working with Gov. Dayton in the coming weeks to determine if the region qualifies for federal disaster assistance.
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Star Tribune Editorial Board Applauds Sen. Franken's Work to Make College More Affordable
Sen. Franken and Gov. Dayton met with nine impressive students to hear directly from them about the burden of student debt. Click here to read the Star Tribune's editorial on the meeting and what can be done to help students and their families make college more affordable.
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Gail Rosenblum, Star Tribune: Franken Fought for VAWA
Gail Rosenblum wrote an op-ed for the Star Tribune about the final passage of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act which included two provisions authored by Sen. Franken.
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Austin Daily Herald: "Franken talks farming in Albert Lea"
Click here to read the Austin Daily Herald's coverage of Sen. Franken's visit to southeast Minnesota to discuss agriculture and rural issues.
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Mankato Free Press recognizes Sen. Franken for his work on improving mental health care
Click here to read the Mankato Free Press praise Sen. Franken's work to ensure that schools provide access to critical mental health treatment for kids who need and deserve these services.
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MPR: "Franken: Student mental health key in helping school security"
Click here to read about Sen. Franken's meeting with school officials, government leaders, and mental health experts to hear what they need from Congress to address student's safety at school.
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MPR: "Franken leads Minn. meeting on mental health intervention"
Click here to read about Sen. Franken's meeting with Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek and mental health advocates to help those struggling with mental illness out of the criminal justice system.
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Rochester Post Bulletin Highlights Sen. Franken's Support of Wind Production Tax Credit
Click here to read the Rochester Post Bulletin's coverage of the Wind Production Tax Credit's extension.
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New York Times Editorial Board Praises Sen. Franken's Stalking App Legislation
Click here to read the New York Times' editorial praising Sen. Franken's bill to prevent mobile phone companies from tracking user's location without their consent.
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KEYC Reports Sen. Franken Urges Passage of Farm Bill
In an effort to help farmers across Minnesota who are facing uncertainty because a new Farm Bill hasn't been passed by the House of Representatives, Sen. Franken is urging Senate leadership to include the bipartisan, Senate-passed Farm Bill in any deal brokered to address the nation's fiscal challenges.
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Hibbing Daily Tribune: "Carpet Plaza will be first in Retrofit Program"
Click here to read about Carpet Plaza in Hibbing plans to retrofit their building to increase its energy efficiency as part of Sen. Franken's Back to Work Minnesota Retrofit Jobs Initiative.
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AgriNews: "Franken visits Dawson farm"
Click here to read AgriNews coverage of Sen. Franken recent visit to Roger and Karen Strom's farm to hear from farmers and business leaders about federal agriculture policy.
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Montevideo American-News: "Montevideo hunt another success"
Sen. Franken recently participated in the 10th Annual Montevideo Goose and Pheasent Hunt.
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Star Tribune: "Tighter rules on cellphone tracking urged"
Sen. Franken, Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, recently announced the release of a new report he requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that shows wireless companies are not providing consumers enough information about how they use and share their private location data, and says that federal action would likely help address this problem.
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KARE 11: "Skills gap focus of Minnesota high tech employers"
Senator Franken recently toured the Minnetonka headquarters of DataCard which is a high tech company that manufactures the machines that produce personalized credit cards, passports, and national identity cards for countries all around the world. DataCard requires a high skilled workforce and employees who have global perspective.
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Rochester Post Bulletin: "Franken seeks answers in deaths of WSU Grad, friend"
Winona State University grad, Kari Bowerman, was traveling through Southeast Asia with her friend Cathy Huynh when they both became sick in Vietnam. Both of the women were admitted to the hospital and unfortunately passed away from yet to be determined causes. Sen. Franken wrote a letter to Secretary of State Clinton to ask for an investigation into the two women's deaths.
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New York Times: Collins: "The Lows of Higher Ed"
New York Times Columnist Gail Collins recently wrote about the need to make sure students are aware of the cost of their college education. Collins mentioned Sen. Franken's Understanding the True Cost of College Act which would require all schools to provide students with a standard form that would inform students of their finacial responsibilites.
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Rochester Post Bulletin: "Franken to Chamber: Education a key to helping economy"
Senator Franken recently met with the Rochester Chamber of Commerece Foundation and learned about the work they are doing to inspire the next generation of job creators. Click here to read the Rochester Post Bulletin's coverage of the meeting and Sen. Franken's speech.
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KELO TV: "Franken Works On Lewis & Clark Water Project"
Sen. Franken is pushing for the federal government to complete work on the Minnesota portion of the Lewis and Clark water project.
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Star Tribune: "Insurers sending out rebate checks"
Sen. Franken authored the Medical Loss Ratio provision as part of the Affordable Care Act, which requires health insurers to spend at least 80-85 percent of what they collect in premiums on actual health services for their customers.
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DL-Online: Editorial: "Minn. senators doing a good job"
Sen. Franken was praised by the Detroit Lakes Tribune for the work he has been doing to improve the day-to-day lives of Minnesotans.
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MinnPost: "Thousands of Minnesotans to receive health rebates under Franken provision"
Sen. Franken authored the Medical Loss Ratio provision in the Affordable Care Act, and a new report shows that more than 100,000 Minnesotans will benefit from the provision.
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DL-Online: Editorial: "Rebate checks courtesy of Franken"
Sen. Franken authored the Medical Loss Ratio provision in the Affordable Care Act, and a new report shows that more than 100,000 Minnesotans will benefit from the provision.
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Star Tribune: "Senate approves nearly $1T farm bill"
Sen. Franken voted to pass the Farm Bill, which included his provision to help rural farmers use renewable energy. The Farm Bill also helps cut the deficit and provide a strong safety net to farmers.
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Bemidji Pioneer: "Bemidji mail center safe from cuts for now"
Sen. Franken applauded the Postmaster General's decision to keep the mail-processing centers in Duluth and Bemidji open.
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Care2: "White House Endorses Student Non Discrimination Act"
On April 20th, 2012 President Obama endorsed Sen. Franken's Student Non Discrimination Act. This legislation will help protect children in the face of bullying at schools. Sen. Franken continues to fight for the rights of LGBT kids.
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MinnPost: "College students tell Franken, Dayton about impact of student debt"
Sen. Franken met with students at the university of Minnesota to talk about growing student debt.
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MPR: 'Buffet Rule' plays into bigger debate over taxes and spending
Sen. Franken continues to fight for working families by arguing that the wealthiest Americans should pay their fair share of taxes. Sen. Franken wants Congress to consider the 'Buffet Rule'--a rule that would require anyone making over $1 Million a year to pay at least 30 percent of their income taxes.