Pipeline transportation and energy storage company Kinder Morgan recently agreed to pay more than $830,000 in overtime back wages to nearly 4,700 of its current and former workers.

Despite the economic downturn, recently released payroll records from states across the nation indicate that some public service workers don't appear to be feeling the pinch.

People on the Philadelphia School District's payroll recently faced problems picking up their scheduled paychecks after a payroll processing service error resulted in some checks being skipped, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

A recent legislative audit found that workers on New Hampshire's state payroll may have received up to $36,000 in overtime pay despite not being eligible for it, according to the Nashua Telegraph.

Texas-based Hill Country Farms recently agreed to a settlement after being ordered to pay $1.76 million in overtime back wages and damages for repeatedly violating requirements set by the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to The Associated Press.

A recent investigation by the office of North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood criticized the payment of more than $75,000 in overtime to the facility sales director at the N.C. State Fair as being "excessive," according to The News & Observer.

As a result of the economic downturn, many firms are looking to an outside payroll processing service with the aim of saving money. However, there are many other advantages to outsourcing employee payroll services as well.

The Michigan Supreme Court recently ruled that union employee payroll deductions are prohibited when a portion of the funds is distributed into a political action committee, according to the Michigan Messenger.

To mitigate the effects of what Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Angel Taveras has referred to as a "Category 5 fiscal storm," the city recently passed a $613.8 million budget for the new fiscal year.