As the month ends without a special session lawmakers planned for approving COVID bonuses for Minnesota’s front-line workers, Republicans this afternoon (130pm) roll out their latest proposal:
The disagreement has been over *which* workers should share in 250 million dollars the legislature appropriated in June. Democrats want a broad group, arguing they’ve all been exposed to COVID risk — but Republicans say alloted money allows meaningful bonuses for only the highest-risk workers, such as health care providers, staff in long-term care facilities, first responders and law enforcement. Also delaying a special session: Senate Republicans have threatened to oust Commissioner Jan Malcolm, and Governor Tim Walz says he won’t lose the state’s top public health official in the middle of a pandemic surge.
