Minnesota’s Front Line Workers Likely Won’t See ‘Hero Pay’ until 2022

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The Minnesota State Legislature passed legislation in May to distribute $250 million to front line COVID workers, known as Hero Pay, but nearly five months later none of the money has been distributed.

After a Sept. 6 deadline was missed to finalize the terms of the Hero Pay, the State Legislature is hoping to come to an agreement with a final vote in a second special session, but Senator Kent Eken says that’s not likely to happen anytime soon. “The Republican’s want to keep it contained to those directly involved in health care and the Democrats want to expand it to daycare providers, social workers and others.”

Republicans argue that adding additional groups will dilute the $250 million to a point that it won’t have the impact desired. Some Democrats agree and would like to see the Hero Pay increased above the $250 million.

Additionally, a threat to remove the Governor’s State Health Commissioner, Jan Malcolm who has led the state’s COVID-19 response has kept Governor Walz from calling the special session.

If a special session isn’t called, front line workers would need to wait until after the regularly scheduled session in January 2022 before they would even have a chance at receiving a part of the $250 million.