May 14, 2020 / By Stephen Sorace | Fox News
Washington state government agencies will freeze all hiring, personal service contracts and equipment purchases to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday, as the state faces a potential multibillion-dollar drop in revenues.
The directive allows exemptions for positions that create revenue, are necessary for public health or safety or are critical to the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Purchases and contracts needed for critical services will also be exempt. The order goes into effect Monday. 
“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 directive states.