Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has instituted a hiring and spending freeze on state agencies, but critics were quick to pounce.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is calling for a freeze on hiring, services contracts, goods and equipment purchases, and travel to deal with a projected operating budget shortfall between $10 billion and $12 billion over the next four years. The shortfall exists despite the state’s record $72 billion budget.

Gov. Jay Inslee declared a spending freeze for Washington state government agencies in response to "a significant operating deficit."

Gov. Jay Inslee has asked executive and small cabinet agency directors to freeze discretionary hiring. Reacting to Washington’s looming budget shortfall, Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday directed state agencies to freeze nonessential hiring. Inslee also issued ...

Governor Inslee has declared a government spending freeze in response to a projected $400 million revenue shortfall through 2029.

With the state facing a multi-billion dollar budget gap, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered state agencies to freeze “most non-discretionary and non-essential” hiring, service contracts, purchasing and travel.

Gov. Inslee issued a directive on Tuesday, commanding state agencies put a hold on hiring certain positions. This includes positions not related to public safety or other non-discretionary activities.