Phoenix (AZ Family)– To make up for budget shortfalls, some Arizona agencies will have to not hire new employees and cut spending by at least 4%.
Ben Henderson, director of operations for the governor's office, said in a letter to state agencies Friday that all executive offices, boards and commissions will not be able to hire new staff starting Saturday. The hiring freeze also applies to contractors.
“This staffing limit provides agencies with the flexibility to determine which positions need to be filled and which positions can remain vacant,” Henderson said in the letter.
Henderson added that if a state agency, commission or commission wants to increase the number of employees, the governor's office must approve it.
The hiring freeze does not apply to agencies led by elected leaders, but the governor's office encouraged voluntary compliance.
The governor's office is also calling on ministries and agencies to implement a “new budget-saving campaign” within the next five days and develop plans to reduce their budgets by 4%.
Proposals must include ongoing savings of at least 2% in addition to general fund reductions.
Out-of-state travel for all state employees must be approved by the Governor's Office.
The state budget faces a $1.2 billion shortfall over the next two years, the governor's office announced.
The full letter from the governor's office can be read below.
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