INDIANAPOLIS -- Controversy continues to swirl around the awarding of bonuses to 75 Indiana Department of Transportation employees for their handling of an October tanker explosion while other state government sectors see budgets slashed and rounds of layoffs.

The employees received about $25,000 in bonus money for their work on the Interstate 465 explosion, which was by all accounts both prompt and exemplary.

But the issue has become a political football that pits Gov. Mitch Daniels on one side and Democrats on the other. Some are unhappy that bonuses are going out when the state is in the midst of significant economic strife that prompted recent rounds of layoffs in other state government sectors.

Gov. Mitch Daniels' press secretary called 6News Thursday morning to express displeasure with 6News' story Wednesday that highlighted questions about the spot bonus program.

Numbers obtained by 6News Thursday indicated that the state had given out more than $5 million in bonuses in the past three years in the program that Daniels started in 2006 as a means of rewarding performance and efficiency in state government.

"We do pay the best employees better. Now that we can't give raises anymore, this is the last tool left," Daniels said Thursday.

Earlier this week, 42 motor compliance workers were told they were being let go. Higher education funding was recently slashed, and state employees were told there will be no raises in 2010.

Daniels said he doesn't think giving out bonuses in light of the state's economic situation sends the wrong message.

"Of course not -- the message is that the state employees doing the best job are highly-valued, and we wish we could do more for them," he said.

The INDOT workers, including managers, supervisors and a construction director who makes $91,499 annually, received bonuses that range from $200 to $500, 6News' Kara Kenney reported.

Almost every INDOT employee who responded to the explosion site received a bonus.

"I think the taxpayers are thrilled we had the bridge open in four days, and I'm really proud of my team for doing that," said INDOT Commissioner Mike Reed.

Ed Treacy, chairman of the Marion County Democratic Party, said bonuses send the wrong message.

"That's absurd to give people making $90,000 a bonus when you're laying off other people. That just absolutely should not be," said Treacy, adding that he thinks the spot bonus program should be scrapped until economic conditions improve. "I don't think we can justify cutting $150 million from education of our students in college and giving $3 million in bonuses at the same time."

Daniels is steadfast in his support of the bonus program, saying it provides incentive for workers who are deserving.

"I hope it gets bigger, and we will make it bigger as soon as we're able, as soon as the dollars are available," he said.

Thousands of state employees from numerous agencies received bonuses. Last year, the state handed out $2.5 million. The awarding of bonuses is still up to each individual agency.