Gov. Chris Gregoire is considering a proposal from state employees to move state government to a four-day workweek to save money on energy.

Gregoire sent an e-mail to state workers Friday, saying the most popular suggestion from state employees for savings since she started a hiring freeze Aug. 4 has been to move to a shorter workweek with longer days.

Glenn Kuper, a spokesman for the Office of Financial Management, said some details of the proposal are being investigated. Gregoire said she hopes to save $90 million through next summer with the hiring freeze, which could eliminate 1,951 positions.

In her e-mail, Gregoire said other cost-saving suggestions include more teleconferences, van-pooling and eliminating all state-issued cell phones.

Utah this month became the first state to shut down most services on Fridays.

The Associated Press