Beshear urges bonuses for essential workers during pandemic

FRANKFORT, KY. -- Gov. Andy Beshear recommended Monday that Kentucky use $400 million in federal pandemic relief assistance to provide bonuses next year for beleaguered health-care workers and others who worked on the front lines to provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Democratic governor said he will send the framework of the plan to the state's Republican-dominated legislature within the next 10 days. Lawmakers would make the final decision in how to appropriate the federal aid.

Beshear's recommendation comes as many Kentucky hospitals struggle with chronic staffing shortages to treat an influx of coronavirus patients. Some prominent Senate Republicans have urged the governor to call lawmakers into a special legislative session this year to funnel aid to hospitals.

The governor said Monday that the federal money won’t be available until next year, when lawmakers are back in regular session.

Read more: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article254759367.html