Gov. Bill Ritter signed an executive order Thursday that will allow the state to deduct dues from employees' paychecks and give the money directly to employee associations.

State payroll deductions for union dues and some other purposes were discontinued under Ritter's predecessor, Republican Bill Owens, in 2001 after they were in existence for nearly 70 years.

The governor's office said the state's 74,000 employees will be able to check off a payroll deduction box that allows organization dues to go to those organizations.

Ritter said the convenience and efficiency of the checkoff program is important to the state's work force.

But Republican leadership pounced on Ritter's order, calling it a "union payback."

"It was only last week that the AFL-CIO threatened our governor because he vetoed a measure that would have made it easier for unions to pressure workers into creating all-union agreements," said House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker.

"Now, we have an executive order that makes the state facilitate the collection of union dues from state employees. It looks like a union payback to me."

The executive order starts a state rule-making process that involves a public notice and public comment period. The rule would take effect in August.

Under the previous policy, state payroll deductions were allowed for 23 purposes ranging from pension contributions and health insurance to parking, bus passes and the Colorado Combined Campaign of charitable giving. Eight types of deductions were discontinued, including union dues.