Lawmakers form panel to investigate payroll problems

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland lawmakers are forming a panel to investigate the mishandling of state employee paychecks.

Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton and Del. Maggie McIntosh announced the joint legislative panel Friday.

At a hearing this month, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said it has received more than 1,000 complaints about employees not getting paid properly.

Middleton, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, says Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration was warned that a new payroll system was not ready, and for two months employees have been getting partial paychecks. Administration officials said at a hearing this month that employees who contacted the state about problems received a paper check.

Amelia Chasse, a spokeswoman for Hogan, says the administration looks forward to sharing information with lawmakers about the scope of the issue and immediate steps that are being taken to address it.