This Is How Much Hazard Pay Louisiana Front-Line Workers Could Get

Louisiana nurses, grocery store workers and other front-line workers who worked at the start of the coronavirus pandemic could receive a one-time $250 payment in hazard pay, through legislation that began advancing in the state House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The bill was first proposed and sent to lawmakers by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins and was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee.

"We're trying to (help) as many workers as possible who had to go out and were at risk," said Jenkins, according to The Monroe News Star.

New Orleans Democratic Representative Matthew Willard also showed his support for this bill, saying, "while some had the luxury of staying home and protecting their health and safety, others...did not have that choice."

"This committee has gone above and beyond to support our big business and our small businesses," said Willard, according to The Associated Press. "We have yet to do anything for the working people of Louisiana."

According to Jenkins, the bill would offer aid to the state's grocery store workers, janitors, nursing home workers, nurses, bus drivers, and any other employees that risked their lives working during the height of the pandemic. To be eligible for the proposed hazard payment, workers would have to have an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less on their 2019 tax return, as well as reporting a job away from their home for at least 200 hours from March 22 to May 14.

While the bill made advancements on Wednesday, its funding has sparked disagreement between Democrats and Republicans in the state.

According to The News Star, Jenkins and other Democrats want the bill to be funded with $50 million from the $300 million in federal aid for the state's CARES Act for small business grants.

Despite Jenkins request, the House Ways and Means Committee approved an amendment to the bill by Republican Rep. John Stefanski that would set aside the $50 million from the $511 million CARES Act currently designated to reimburse local governments for expenditures while responding to the coronavirus outbreak.

"I want to protect our investment in (small businesses)," Stefanski said, according to The News Star.

In the earlier stages of the pandemic, Louisiana was given $1.8 billion in coronavirus aid from the CARES Act passed by Congress. About $1 billion of the aid was designated for state expenses while the other $811 million was planned to be given to local governments.

In a bill signed by state Governor John Bel Edwards, $300 million was taken out of the $811 million for its small businesses grant program.

While the bill has not been fully passed by the state's House, Jenkins suggested that these hazard payments could also help the state's economy, as well as providing aid to front-line workers.

"We feel like this investment will go directly back into the economy in back-to-school spending and rent," Jenkins said.

Newsweek reached out to the House of Representatives in Louisiana for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.