ST. PAUL, Minn. – House Democratic and Senate Republican leaders reached a deal to approve two closely watched bills:
> $2.7 billion to replenish the state unemployment insurance system, which employers otherwise would have had to pay.
> $500 million for Hero Checks, $750 each to 670,000 front-line CoVid workers.
The Senate passed the bill 65-1 in the morning. The House followed 124-5 in the afternoon. Governor Tim Walz has signaled he will sign the bill. The $750 Hero Checks will be sent out quickly by the Department of Labor and Industry, legislators said. Employers will be required to post how to apply online. These are the categories of frontline workers who, if on duty between March 2020 and June 2021. are eligible for Hero Checks:
> Long-term care and home care.
> Health care.
> Emergency responders.
> Public health, social service, and regulatory service;
> Courts and corrections.
> Child care.
> Schools, including charter schools, state schools, and higher education.
> Food service, including production, processing, preparation, sale, and delivery.
> Retail, including sales, fulfillment, distribution and delivery.
> Temporary shelters and hotels.
> Building services, including maintenance, janitorial and security.
> Public transit.
> Ground and air transportation.
> Manufacturing.
> Vocational rehabilitation.
The twin provisions of the bill, totaling $3.2 billion, is about a third of the projected state revenue surplus.