text: The Legislative Audit Bureau report shows the state paid out over $187 million in overtime during the past three years. State Representative Sue Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls), co-chair of the Legislature's Audit Committee, wonders whether state agencies have enough employees. She says the state needs to take a very good look at the fiscal impact of the overtime costs, and whether it may be more cost effective to higher more employees.
  Jeskewitz says the report may also point to abuses, such as boosting the salaries of soon-to-retire state employees. She says some collective bargaining agreements allow workers to retire at their highest salary levels, and may be using overtime benefits to cash in.
  Most of the overtime went to agencies that run 24-hour operations, such as the Department of Corrections and DHFS. Jeskewitz questions what impact all the extra hours have on the quality of work, with some people on the job for over 60 hours a week.