State House paid more than $175,000 for overtime work

Monday, March 8th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- While state agencies dealt with millions in budget cuts last year, staff in the state House of Representatives were being paid more than $175,000 in overtime.

Documents show the overtime payments during 2003 ranged from $23 dollars for a secretary to more than $2,700 for a supervisor.

House Speaker Larry Adair says the overtime is part of the cost of doing business as experts are needed to help write complex legislation.

House Minority Leader Todd Hiett questions the need for some of the overtime saying it "sounds excessive."

Officials say House staff members are given time off for the first 40 hours of overtime, then are paid for the extra time.

The Senate pays no overtime, giving its staff members time off for the extra work.