HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – A top Republican senator called on state auditors to take a closer look into former Gov. John G. Rowland’s recent consulting contracts with two firms with state ties.

State Sen. John McKinney, R-Fairfield, the second-highest ranking Republican in the Senate, said Friday that he’s outraged the Klewin Building Co. and National Science Center Foundation hired Rowland after he resigned last July. Both companies received state contracts while Rowland was the governor.

Rowland has been earning $15,000 a month from both firms.

McKinney said if Rowland’s employment was improper, both Klewin and the National Science Center Foundation should be prevented from ever doing business with the state.

If Rowland and the firms did not violate any ethics rules, McKinney said the deals are still dubious.

He said the legislature should consider passing a bill that would forbid any public official convicted of a felony related to his job from lobbying lawmakers or state agencies.

Also, the Journal Inquirer of Manchester reported Friday that the U.S. Attorney’s Office contacted a top University of Connecticut official this week regarding a meeting she had with Rowland back in November about a contract disagreement between UConn and Klewin.

Rowland met with UConn Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lorraine M. Aronson in West Hartford last November to discuss the dispute.

“Ms. Aronson informed him that construction claims are resolved through a process specified in all university construction contracts and that to her knowledge the Klewin claim was already being addressed in accordance with those procedures,” UConn said in a statement.