by Luke Putvin | Lynnwood Times Staff
Governor Inslee released Director 20-05 on today, May 13. Going into place on May 18, it will freeze hiring, personal services contracts and equipment purchases for state agencies.
As stated directly in the directive:
“The hiring freeze does not apply to positions that:
- Directly impact public safety,
- Are essential to the health and welfare activities of state government,
- Generate revenue,
- Are required to meet statutory mandates, or
- Are related to the state’s response to the pandemic.”
“I recognize the practical difficulties of implementing this directive to maintain the financial health of the State,” Inslee said. “I call upon our higher education institutions, boards and commissions, and other separately elected officials to impose similar restrictions within their agencies and jurisdictions.”
“While this is not going to be easy, I ask each agency to 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.”
The full directive can be found at the governor’s website: https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-directive-state-agencies-freeze-hiring-personal-service-contracts-and
Author: Luke Putvin
