Facing a multi-billion dollar shortfall, KIRO 7 has confirmed that departments of Washington state government are beginning to implement hiring freezes.
The Office of Financial Management estimates a shortfall of $10 billion to $12 billion over the next four years. While not a statewide freeze like the one implemented in 2020, OFM sent a letter asking departments: “Please consider actions that will result in immediate savings, such as hiring and other freezes.”
The Department of Social and Human Services announced freezes Tuesday that will affect executive management, general services functions, some travel, new equipment and new contracts.
“Our hope is to avoid cuts to vital services for Washingtonians,” a DSHS spokesperson said.
The union representing state workers says it is aware that several departments are freezing hiring, but says the employees represented are not affected.
“These types of savings will help with our current budget, which runs until June 2025, and the next biennial budget (July 2025 – June 2027),” an OFM spokesperson said.
OFM says revenue forecasts are on a downward trend – while increases in workload forecasts, the number of people using state services such as preschool and childcare, have increased, as have costs after several years of high inflation.
Several organizations in the state are also clamoring for more state funding.
The Office of the State Superintendent and the schools have called for more state funding to return school funding to the level required by the McCleary ruling. Washington State Patrol is trying to fill a “long-standing staffing shortage.”
“While WSP is looking for ways to reduce costs to align with the current reality of the state budget, we are not instituting a hiring freeze,” said Chris Loftis of WSP.
Departments will submit their savings plans by Nov. 15, the next state revenue forecast will be released on Nov. 20 and the governor will release the proposed budget on Dec. 20 before state lawmakers return to Olympia in January.
