ATLANTA (AP) – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said Monday that he would use federal COVID-19 aid to pay $ 1,000 bonuses to every police officer, sheriff deputy, firefighter and paramedic across the country.
Kemp made the announcement, flanked by House Representative David Ralston, a fellow Republican who proposed an earlier version of the idea in July. A number of police and fire officers had joined the governor.
Other eligible workers include prison guards and prison guards, probation officers, and emergency services. The governor also plans to make $ 300 payments to volunteer firefighters across Georgia. His office said the payments should cost up to $ 100 million.
“We’re going to stand by our public safety officers, period,” said Kemp. We will refinance or fund our public safety officers and let them know that the people of this state and its leaders support them and their families. “
Ahead of the 2022 state election, many Georgia Republicans are trying to ensure that voters shouldn’t trust Democrats on public safety, although the state government has traditionally had a limited role in fighting crime and most of the responsibility with local officials lies.
Republicans have focused heavily on the city of Atlanta, although shootings have increased nationwide. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is pushing for a $ 70 million crime-fighting plan that will add 250 more police officers to her city.
State Sen. Elena Parent, a Democrat from Atlanta, said members of her party were not against the bonuses but would like to see more transparency about how Kemp decides to spend federal funds.
“First responders are very hardworking and underpaid, especially for the valuable public service they provide,” Parent said.
A COVID-19 relief bill signed by President Joe Biden in March included $ 350 billion for state and local governments for public health, economic initiatives, infrastructure and government services. Many governments are still working on spending plans, and the US Treasury Department still has no final rules. Governments have until the end of 2024 to decide how to spend the money.
Georgia has nearly $ 4.8 billion that Kemp controls. The governor previously announced that he would use the money to expand high-speed internet access, rehabilitate and upgrade water and sewer systems, and to offset the economic damage caused by the pandemic by setting up committees to review proposals.
Georgia has already used federal funds to pay $ 1,000 bonuses to K-12 and preschool teachers, university employees, and government employees who earn less than $ 80,000 a year. Some employees, such as state prison guards or state troopers, receive a second payment after the announcement on Monday.
Florida recently paid $ 1,000 bonuses to police, fire departments, medical workers, and teachers. In May and June 2020, New Hampshire paid weekly grants to first responders, including volunteers. Other states have paid some workers danger pay, such as the $ 250 that Louisiana paid to frontline workers last year.
Kemp’s office cited employment data showing around 80,000 employees nationwide. About another 10,000 nationwide are volunteer firefighters, officials said.
Chad Black, fire chief in Habersham County, northeast Georgia, said his department had 66 full-time and 33 part-time workers and about 40 volunteers. It offers emergency services and fire services nationwide in unincorporated areas.
“It’s not life-changing money, of course, but it shows that people are thinking about what we’re up against,” Black said after the Capitol announcement. He said four employees are currently suffering from COVID-19, including one who has been hospitalized.
Habersham County paid a $ 300 bonus to key workers last year, and Black said the county is planning another $ 500 bonus for employees in November, using federal COVID-19 aid money that the county received.
“I have people picking up seven or eight patients with COVID every day,” Black said.
Kemp said the money is not a hazard or premium payment as allowed by federal law, but is intended to help workers cover the costs they have incurred from exposure to members of the public who may have COVID-19. Employees do not have to document any expenses.
Individual public safety agencies, including private ambulance companies, will apply for the money between October 1st and December 31st and will receive money based on the number of employees they had in August. Local governments must keep records of volunteer firefighters’ hours.
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