Democratic state senators want to give more “hero pay” to a wider range of essential workers.  The Lamont administration is not considering expanding the number of recipients beyond the state workers and National Guard members.  Danbury state Senator Julie Kushner, co-chair of the Labor Committee, says until the pandemic many people didn't realized how important that grocery store worker is.  She says specific funding numbers haven't been decided at this time.  Kushner says they want to hear from essential workers before determining what will be in the final bill. Interim federal rules published last year allow state and local COVID-19 recovery funds to be spent on premium pay for essential workers of up to $13 per hour, in addition to their regular wages. The amount cannot exceed $25,000 per employee.