The hiring of such consultants – Democrats and Republicans, former commissioners and deputy commissioners, professors, doctors, psychiatrists, and police officers – is not illegal. But state auditors say such hirings raise questions of favoritism, and they are seeking legislation to impose stricter rules over re-employment of retirees.

A spokesman for Gov John Rowland said the governor “would absolutely want a closer look at this and would probably support tougher controls.”

“This is a chronic issue in state government,” said spokesman Dean Pagani. He said some state agencies may be “confused as to what the proper procedures are.”

Many of the approximately 700 retired state employees are paid relatively modest sums beyond their pensions. But some are pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars in pay and benefits as legal “double dippers.”

State officials say re-employing retired state workers is cost-effective and proper. Retired employees offer the skills and experience suitable for continued work at state agencies, officials say.

For example, E. Marvin Henken, a doctor at the University of Connecticut Health Center who retired in 1994, received more than $250,000 last year in combined retirement salary and re-employment pay. His preretirement salary was about $206,400 a year.

Dave Gillon, associate dean for finance at the UConn Health Center in Farmington, said Dr Henken serves as a teaching professor and a radiologist who likely generates more revenue than he is paid.

In addition, Dr Henken and other retired doctors often work more hours than they are paid for and the health center has saved money by not hiring full-time replacements, Gillon said.

Dr Henken was not immediately available for comment.

Connecticut’s Auditors of Public Accounts say taxpayers may not get their money’s worth when salary, retirement pay, and health benefits are included.

State Auditors Robert G. Jaekle and Kevin P. Johnston have urged the Legislature to enact stricter controls.

“I don’t think you want full-time management employees there on a part-time basis,” Johnston said.

The auditors said hiring former state workers as consultants, often without competitive bidding, also may require a review.

“Was there favoritism?” Mr Jaekle asked.

Connecticut law allows retired state workers to be rehired and receive full pension benefits for up to 90 days a year on the condition the re-employment not be permanent. A state employee retirement agreement extended the limit to 120 days a year.

State agencies have thousands of such consultant agreements that are routinely extended. Officials say they are confused about how to report such extensions.

“There are different requirements on the books,” said Donna Micklus, spokeswoman for the Department of Administrative Services.