The check is in the mail for nearly 30,000 state workers who, on Friday, were issued cash bonuses for doing nothing more than showing up for work.

The April payment of the biannual longevity payments totaling $18.3 million is back in the news because the Legislature and administration continue to play the chicken and egg game.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who has often criticized the practice, contends the Legislature must first enact a measure canceling bonuses for nonunion supervisors and high-ranking administrators. Some earn salaries in excess of $100,000 per year and pocket tens of thousands more in bonuses. Once thats done, the administration can then, in future negotiations with employee unions, end this practice completely.

But lawmakers, and, most recently, Senate President Don Williams, D-Brooklyn, have told us that benefits for nonunion supervisors and administrators are based on the benefits negotiated with the unions. Union members earn bonuses ranging from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 or $2,000. Its the upper echelon bonuses that need to be canceled first, lawmakers claim, otherwise the state might be sued.

So, as state officials pretend to resolve the issue of which comes first, the chicken or the egg, taxpayers remain on the hook, paying more than $18 million Friday to 29,781 eligible union and nonunion state employees with 10 or more years of service. Theyll get another bonus in October as long as they keep showing up.

There was a time when longevity bonuses were needed to attract qualified workers to state service. But that time has long since passed and so has the need for an incentive.

Thats our opinion. Wed like to hear yours. Send your comments to letters@norwichbulletin.com.

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Our View: Incentive of longevity payments no longer needed