Conn. Rehires State Workers

HARTFORD (AP) — Records show that hundreds of Connecticut state workers who took retirement incentive packages in June and July are back on the state payroll and getting their pension checks too.

The Hartford Courant reports that state records show that more than 500 of the nearly 3,900 employees who retired have been rehired temporarily. The state has a long-standing program allowing retirees to return for up to 120 days annually when they are needed.

Pay records show that 400 rehired workers are getting paid a total of $1.2 million a month, while collecting pension checks totaling $1.8 million a month.

The retirement program was meant to help the state with its budget deficit.

Governor M. Jodi Rell had vowed earlier this year to limit what has been called “double-dipping.”