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Committee discusses hiring freeze contingency and timing for newly authorized positions
Summary
Committee members debated contingency language that would limit hiring for newly authorized positions if revenue forecasts downgrade, questioning whether positions authorized July 1 could realistically be filled by July 28 and whether the administration could enact freezes.
Committee members debated contingency language intended to prevent immediate hiring of newly authorized positions if state revenue estimates deteriorate.
A committee member raised procedural concerns about timing and implementation, asking whether positions authorized to be effective July 1 could be posted and filled before the end of July. "Are they gonna have anybody hired by July 28?" the committee member asked, noting that "the speed of government is not that fast" and that filling positions typically takes several months.
Senator Westman described the intended effect of the contingency language as giving the administration authority to pause hiring for open positions in the event of a downgrade. "But I think they mean administration could freeze hiring for open positions," Senator Westman said, adding that in practice the administration would develop a plan and that prioritization and reserve considerations would influence which positions proceed.
Members discussed prior revenue downturns (2007–2009) and recent staffing cuts in transportation as context for the contingency language. They also noted that some positions are funded from sources other than the general fund and questioned whether those should be treated differently in a hiring freeze.
The committee asked staff to refine the contingency language and consider exceptions and timing, and to return with clarifications at the next meeting.
