House passes $1 billion plan for frontline worker bonuses – Session Daily – Minnesota …

By Margaret Stevens Workers on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic could receive up to $1,500 each if their jobs put them at risk of contracting the virus during Minnesota’s peacetime emergency. By a 71-61 vote, the House passed HF2900, as amended, Thursday. It would appropriate $1 billion for such payments. “This bill has been two hard years in the making,” Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope), said in a statement. He sponsors the bill. “It has passed through six committees in less than a month, had many dedicated frontline workers drop everything to testify in support, and we’ve answered hundreds of questions from our colleagues. Now it’s passed off of the House floor. Our workers in Minnesota need to see action from Senate leaders on this bill now. We need to show that our Minnesota legislature puts people over profits.” The bill’s next stop is the Senate where Sen. Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) is the sponsor. People eligible for the payments would include those who worked with the public in a wide range of areas – health care, long-term care facilities, emergency responders, public health, courts and corrections, child care, schools, food production, preparation and delivery people, retail clerks, grocery…
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