Today the Minnesota Legislature’s Frontline Worker Pay working group convened to discuss recommendations for the disbursement of $250 million in direct financial support to frontline workers, as assigned by the Legislature. After considerable debate, the Democrat members of the worker group voted down a motion to advance two proposals to the Legislature for consideration.  

“We were given the important role of getting $250 million in the hands of the workers who worked tirelessly during the most challenging days of the pandemic and providing recommendations to the full Legislature is critical to getting these workers their long overdue payments,” Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) said. “It’s unfortunate our working group could not reach a unified agreement recognizing the sacrifices of healthcare workers, first responders, and hospice staff. By presenting two proposals to the Legislature, we would move the debate forward so we can finally hold our commitment to our frontline workers, and I’m disappointed my colleagues are holding up recommendations.”   

The statute creating this working group anticipated it may not come to a unified agreement and provided that “if seven of the nine members do not approve a single recommendation, then the working group may present not more than three drafts of legislation implementing potential options.” Republican members introduced a motion to have both the GOP proposal and DFL proposal be submitted to the Legislature for final consideration. The motion was voted down and the committee is scheduled to meet again next week.  

“All Minnesotans have gone through an incredibly tough year and we appreciate every single effort. However, the charge to the Frontline Work Group was to present a proposal to distribute bonuses to those who experienced sustained high risk and had to do their work in close personal contact,” Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) said. “These frontline workers deserve recognition and meaningful bonuses now. We will continue to work together to get this done through the legislature.”  

The Republican proposal calls for focus to be placed on workers that were knowingly spending time with those who were COVID positive, and those that were in settings where COVID positive patients would seek out some form of care. The proposal includes $1200 in bonus pay for nurses, first responders, corrections officers, long-term care workers, and hospice providers.