WILLMAR — Despite all the transportation, nutrition, respite and other services in the region to serve the aging population, Lynn Buckley still sees elderly individuals who fall through the cracks.

These are services that can “help the seniors remain independent in a very economical and cost-efficient way,” said Buckley, coordinator of the Caring Connections program at Redwood Area Hospital in Redwood Falls. “It’s very difficult to say, ‘I’m really sorry but I can’t help you.’”

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U.S. Sen. Al Franken is sending members of his staff to the Mower County Senior Center in Austin on Monday to discuss challenges facing area seniors.

Franken said in a press release that input from the meetings will be valuable information for the Senate when it takes on the Older Americans Act next year. Franken is interested in learning how area seniors are dealing with home foreclosures, health care, retirement security and other issues that affect their well being.

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Sen. Al Franken took to the Senate floor on Wednesday to urge his fellow Senators to pass an extension of unemployment benefits. Calling opposition to the extension “short-sighted,” Franken warned that inaction could worsen the recession and contribute to a higher national debt. He also wondered aloud why Republicans have suddenly become concerned about the national debt in the last year and a half.

Here’s a portion of Franken’s full remarks:

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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced Thursday, July 15 that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved their request for nearly $4 million in federal funding for military construction for the Minnesota National Guard.

Demonstrating their continued commitment to Minnesota’s citizen soldiers, Sens. Klobuchar and Franken requested that the funds be appropriated in the fiscal year 2011 Military Construction, Department of Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. The senators’ funding request will now move to the full senate for approval.

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With millions of baby boomers beginning to retire next year, U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced today that his staff will be in Alexandria on Friday, July 16. Franken’s staff will meet with area seniors about the unique challenges they face in their retirement years.

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Federal regulators are looking into the growing use of arrest warrants in Minnesota over unpaid debts, following a Star Tribune investigation and a letter calling attention to the practice from Sen. Al Franken.

A staff attorney with the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday the agency is trying to determine why debtors are being jailed in this state, and if they have been notified properly of any debt collection claims made against them in court. The agency said it was responding to a letter sent by Franken, which accused Minnesota debt collection firms of “abusing the state court system to reap profits.” Franken urged FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz to take “immediate enforcement action.”

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In Wednesday’s morning Senate session, Al Franken took the floor and spoke on the upcoming unemployment extension bill vote.

He spent some minutes discussing the events that led up to the current economic crisis. He spoke about the Republicans hollow excuses for not passing the unemployment bill.

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WASHINGTON — The last hurdle between the Wall Street reform bill and President Obama’s signing pen has been cleared. Now, it’s just a matter of time.

The Senate agreed to the conference report on a 60-39 vote today. Both Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken voted yes, as expected.

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One man can’t get a ride to the doctor. Another steals food from his workplace refrigerator.

“If I can’t keep them fed, if I can’t keep them healthy, I can’t keep them working,” said Rachel Cobenais, the employment and training coordinator for Experience Works, which provides training and employment opportunities for low-income older people.

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WILLMAR — Staff with Sen. Al Franken’s office will visit Willmar Thursday to hear from the area’s senior population about the issues they face.

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