Kentuckians who have worked throughout the pandemic could be getting government-issued bonus checks. Governor Beshear is proposing using some $400 million in federal coronavirus recovery funds to cover hero pay for all Kentucky workers. Representatives from several labor unions staged a news conference Thursday in support of a wide-scale bonus.
Among the speakers was Wendy L. Young, who teaches fourth and fifth graders at Lexington’s Northern Elementary.
“I have a hundred thousand dollars in loans because I went back to school to make a difference. And, who’s gonna pay that? It’s got to be me. So, this hero money will definitely be put on my bill for school,” said Young.
Winchester GOP Senator Ralph Alvarado said the “per worker” monetary benefit would be far less than what’s proposed in a current tax rebate proposal.
“The proposal we have is more targeted for Kentuckians, people who are residents, people who have paid in as far as taxation. It’s a refund back to them for what they’ve paid into the state,” said Alvarado.
Governor Beshear has signed an order to freeze vehicle property tax rates and supports reducing the sales tax by 1% for a year.
