Hiring of outside contractors increases 17 percent

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state and University of Wisconsin increased the hiring of private contractors by 17 percent over the 2011 fiscal year.

The state Department of Administration reported the increase to the Legislature’s budget committee last month and they distributed it to all lawmakers on Friday.

The report shows that state agency hiring of private contractors went up 26 percent while UW’s hiring dropped 2 percent from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011.

Overall spending by both the state and UW on outside contractors totaled nearly $489 million.

The report was released more than eight months late following complaints from Democratic lawmakers, unions and others about the missed Oct. 15 deadline.