Federal Incentives Could Come For Frontline Employees

Considerable, additional financial relief could be on the way for Kentucky’s essential workers.

During his weekly Monday press briefing, Governor Andy Beshear announced he’ll soon be sending a recommendation to the state’s General Assembly — in hopes of bi-partisan efforts needed to unlock more than $400 million in federal ARPA funds for the frontline.

If passed, the plan would be to award specific bonuses for workers who maintained specific jobs during the last two years and beyond, and in congruence with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beshear specifically mentioned medical workers, first responders and grocery store employees as those who couldn’t walk away from their careers during lockdowns — and many of those same employees have kept their jobs despite adverse conditions.

Several considerable details need to be ironed out through legislation — particularly the who, what, where, when and how much — but the federal money will be available, and Beshear said he hopes to have it sorted in sub-committee.

Beshear added that this could be a better incentive plan than considering payouts now, because the ultimate notion is to reward those who have worked these jobs for a full two years through the pandemic.

In the end, the legislators of the General Assembly will ultimately decide the outcome — and Beshear noted federal guidance currently indicates that this relief, which will be available by 2022, should be spent in this fashion.