Minnesota legislators agree to give $250M in bonuses to workers on pandemic's front lines

Minnesota's divided Legislature has agreed to pump $1.2 billion more into the state's classrooms over the next four years and spend $250 million on bonuses for workers such as nurses and grocery store clerks who were on the front lines of the pandemic.

The education deal struck on Tuesday represents the single largest increase in school funding in 15 years and could stave off some teacher layoffs triggered by the pandemic.

The breakthrough on K-12 funding and the plan to help essential workers come as legislators have one week left to wrap up the next two-year state budget and avoid a government shutdown. Top lawmakers remained confident Tuesday they could sort out remaining differences before that deadline, including lingering divisions over the public safety budget.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-legislators-agree-to-give-250m-in-bonuses-to-workers-on-pandemic-s-front-lines/600070973/