Both Republican and Democratic governors are pushing this year for higher pay — and in some cases, more training — for teachers, police officers, health care workers and other professionals who’ve proved essential during the coronavirus pandemic.
They’re framing their proposals both as a “thank you” to front-line workers and as an effort to recruit and retain them during a tight labor market. And because of a booming economy and federal COVID-19 relief aid, governors have plenty of money to spend.
“Right now we don’t have to choose — we are able to be fiscally responsible while making record investments in our people and in our future,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, said during his budget address this month.
