WA Gov. Inslee freezes nonessential hiring, spending amid projected $10B-$12B budget gap
Reacting to Washington’s looming budget shortfall, Gov. Jay Inslee on Dec. 2 directed state agencies to freeze nonessential hiring.
Inslee also issued a pause on noncritical service contracts, travel and spending on equipment and goods. Filling essential vacancies will still be allowed, as will spending on crucial services.
Examples of positions exempt from the hiring freeze include those that generate revenue and “directly impact public safety,” according to the directive.
Over the next few years the state is facing a projected operating-budget gap between $10 billion and $12 billion, according to a Nov. 8 memo from Inslee’s budget director.
The governor also has urged non-cabinet agencies, boards and commissions, higher-education institutions and other Washington officials to adopt similar restrictions within their own jurisdictions and agencies.
“While this is a difficult endeavor,” Inslee said in a statement, “I ask each agency to participate and use common sense, good judgment, and creativity to accomplish the ultimate goal of this directive to capture immediate savings through spending reductions not related to the public safety and essential health and welfare of Washingtonians.”
He added that the directive will stay in place “until rescinded.”
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 9:40 AM with the headline "WA Gov. Inslee freezes nonessential hiring, spending amid projected $10B-$12B budget gap."
.jpg)