ATLANTA (AP) — Records show that Georgia is on pace to spend nearly $35 million on private lawyers to do work for its departments and agencies rather than state attorneys.

The Fulton County Daily Report (http://bit.ly/126rqHJ) reports that the contract lawyers, also known as special assistant attorneys general, supplement the state's Law Department staff and often work at discounted rates.

The newspaper reports that the state has paid $26.2 million to 323 such lawyers through the third quarter of this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

The money comes from the individual departments and agencies, such as the Transportation or Human Services departments.