Our fight for a pay raise is far from over! The Governor’s agenda for the special sessions includes the allocation federal funds from the American Rescue Act. One possible use of this federal funding is Hero Pay. This is an increase in pay that can be backdated from the Emergency Declaration made on March 13th 2020 and be given to thousands of State Employees. By Federal estimates our Legislature could request Hero Pay of an additional $2.00 an hour, beginning from March 13, 2020 to September 13, 2021 which is 18 months that would equate roughly to $5,500 per eligible state employee.
HERO Pay: How much would it be?
- An amount up to $13/hour in addition to wages, not to exceed $25,000 per eligible worker
- Permitted ‘and encouraged’ to offer retrospective premium pay
- Hero pay cannot increase workers’ total pay above 150% of the greater of the state or county average annual wage, without specific justification for responding to the needs of those workers
HERO Pay: Who would get it?
Money is authorized to provide Hero Pay to essential workers who “have not received compensation for the heightened risks they have faced and continue to face.” The funds are available to a broad range of essential workers who were forced to be physically present at their jobs. This funding also prioritizes thousands of lower income workers, including:
- Most staff at State Supported Living Centers and State Hospitals
- Public safety staff (including workers at TJJD and parole officers )
- Social service workers and Human Services staff (including DFPS caseworkers and other positions unable to telework)
- Custodial and food service workers
Federal rules however, prohibit these funds to benefit workers who were fortunate enough to be able to telework, limiting some eligibility.