Saint Paul, Minn. — Today, the Minnesota House advanced a proposal to use a historic budget surplus to provide at least 667,000 frontline workers bonus checks of up to $1,500, a top legislative priority. The bill will put money into the pockets of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, child care providers, janitors and so many others who have sacrificed their health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL – Hibbing) voted in favor of the bill.
“Our frontline workers have made incredible sacrifices throughout the pandemic, putting themselves at a greater exposure to COVID-19. They helped keep our state running while risking the health and safety of themselves and their families every day,” Rep. Sandstede said. “While we’ve been working to deliver premium pay to our frontline workers since last session, through the joint committee we quickly learned the amount the Legislature dedicated last year was inadequate to recognize all the heroes who are truly deserving. The House bill will help frontline workers tackle the increasing costs they’re facing every day.”
During the June 2021 special session, the DFL House and Republican Senate passed a compromise budget that included $250 million for frontline worker bonus pay and created a working group to make recommendations to the Legislature on how to distribute those resources. When Minnesota announced a historic $7.7 billion budget surplus in December 2021, Democrats quickly prioritized bonus checks for frontline workers.
The House’s bill includes the following occupations in the definition of a frontline worker: 1) long-term care and home care; 2) health care; 3) emergency responders, including police officers; 4) public health, social service, and regulatory service; 5) courts and corrections; 6) child care; 7) public schools, including charter schools, state schools, and higher education; 8) food service, including production, processing, preparation, sale, and delivery; 9) retail, including sales, fulfillment, distribution, and delivery; 10) temporary shelters and hotels; 11) building services, including maintenance, janitorial, and security; 12) public transit; 13) ground and air transportation services; 14) manufacturing; and 15) vocational rehabilitation.
In order to receive a bonus check, workers must meet the following individual eligibility requirements:
- was employed in one of the frontline sectors in MN for at least 120 hours from 3/15/20 to 6/30/21
- was not able to work remotely due to the nature of their work, and worked in close proximity to other individuals (not in the same household);
- meet income restrictions. For workers providing direct care to COVID patients, max income is $350,000 (joint filers) and $175,000 (single). For all other workers, the limits are $185,000 (joint) and $85,000 (single); and
- did not collect more than 20 weeks of unemployment benefits from 3/15/20 to 6/30/21.
Senate Republicans have yet to introduce a single piece of legislation that acknowledges the sacrifices of frontline workers after the Legislature promised to do so as part of budget negotiations during the June 2021 special session.
“While no amount of money will adequately make up for the sacrifices these heroes have made, they deserve more than silence,” Rep. Sandstede added. “Now, I’m hopeful the Senate can take action so we can finally get these checks out to our dedicated frontline workers.”