PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The state will eliminate 168 contract staff in a move that Governor Don Carcieri says will save taxpayers $7.7 million per year.

The job cuts are part of Carcieri’s broader cost-cutting plan to eliminate more than 1,000 state jobs.

He has said layoffs and attrition are necessary to help close an estimated $200 million budget deficit.

Carcieri says 32 of the contractors have already left their state jobs, while an additional 136 positions will be cut by June.

The number of contract positions eliminated is higher than the 115 that Carcieri initially said he expected to cut.

The state Department of Administration on Thursday sent notice of the job cuts to temporary employment firms that provide contract staff to the state.

AP-ES-11-01-07 1831EDT