Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
The state House unanimously approves a proposal to send a 250 dollar check to front line workers who were required to work during the first few weeks of the pandemic. To qualify workers must earn under 50,000 a year. A prior version had the limit at 70,000 a year, but the bill’s author Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says that’s not fiscally feasible.
“If we increase that salary you end up bringing in a whole lot more people who we do not have the money to give them something with,” said Jenkins.
The legislation targets health care workers, first responders, childcare workers, grocery store employees, and more.
Ponchatoula Representative Bill Wheat supports the legislation but says it’s disappointing the income limit was lowered.
“They showed up, they put everything at risk, they left their families, and showed up to the exactly the same thing that we are rewarding somebody who makes 50,000 or less for,” said Wheat.
Up to 50 million dollars in checks can be disbursed, with the potential for another 50 million if the need arises. Federal coronavirus relief aid will pay for the checks.
Eunice Representative Phillip DeVillier says his constituents have been begging the state for some help.
“So many people who are already struggling who are at work asked me what we can do to help them, and I think this bill is a great step in the right direction,” says Devillier.
The bill passed to light cheers from House members and is headed to the Senate.
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