The state Department of Human Services commissioner will be in the hot seat Tuesday at the statehouse after News 12 New Jersey I-Team?s investigation into state overtime raised some serious questions.

That investigation found overtime for state workers increased by $16 million at a time when the state was supposed to be cutting costs. Some of the biggest increases were found in the Department of Human Services. DHS officials say they do their best to control overtime, but sometimes it can?t be avoided.

?You can?t have a shift and say ?well, we just can?t fill it today, so we?ll leave it alone,?? Assistant DHS Commissioner Ken Ritchey says.

The DHS commissioner will face the Assembly Budget Committee to answer questions about the overtime Tuesday. Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee Lou Greenwald says he will demand answers as to why overtime went up so much and what the state is getting in return.

Meanwhile, some residents feel the report proves that job cuts aren?t always the answer to the state?s problems.

I-TeamInvestigates: State Overtime Pay