ATLANTA — A veteran Georgia Public Broadcasting producer has handed in a letter of resignation following the hiring of former Republican state Sen. Chip Rogers.

WSB-TV (http://bit.ly/UWrsMh ) reports Ashlie Wilson Pendley, who has been employed with the network for 15 years, is quitting her job in protest after it was revealed that Rogers, of Woodstock, will be paid $150,000 annually — nearly three times her salary.

Rogers abruptly resigned from the state Senate in December. The position is funded by state taxes and the salary was finalized as the governor released budget proposals last week.

The television station reports Rogers was hired to serve as executive producer of job creations and Georgia Public Broadcasting does not have a job description for the role — although the former lawmaker began working there Tuesday.