Jindal freezes some state hiring

Governor Bobby Jindal has imposed a limited state government hiring freeze, requiring that most agencies get prior approval from his budget chief before they can fill vacant jobs.

Jindal says the move would trim spending and hold down costs as Louisiana faces years of projected budget shortfalls. The governor's executive order runs through June 30, covering all but the first three weeks of the budget year that began this month.

The freeze applies to all state government agencies except those overseen by statewide elected officials and the Louisiana Legislature. Jindal's executive orders don't have authority over those agencies.

Also exempt are jobs tied to direct patient care, like those at the state's public hospitals run by LSU, and public safety positions, like state troopers and prison guards.

State government offices seeking to fill vacant jobs will need approval from Jindal's top budget officer, Commissioner of Administration Angèle Davis. Public colleges wanting to fill positions will need approval from the commissioner of higher education, Sally Clausen.

Gov. Bobby Jindal to order state hiring freeze

Governor Bobby Jindal has ordered a limited hiring freeze for the executive branch of state government. The order comes as state government deals with the costs of the two recent hurricanes in the midst of national economic uncertainty, volatile oil prices, state revenue declines, and a projected $1.3 billion shortfall for the next fiscal year.

The freeze, would affect an estimated 3,000 state jobs that are currently vacant and would save an estimated $25 million in the current fiscal year, according to state budget director Ray Stockstill.

Jobs that deal directly with providing health-care and public safety will be exempted from the freeze, and agency heads can petition the Division of Administration for exceptions, Stockstill said.

It's the second hiring freeze ordered by Jindal since he took office Jan. 14. The first, which was implemented on his first full day as governor, ran through the June 30 end of the fiscal year and saved the state more than $30 million, according to administration figures.

State hiring freeze ends with new budget year

Louisiana's state government hiring freeze is over. The freeze, ended with the start of the new budget year this week.

However, fewer jobs will be available to fill in state government. The state's budget this year includes 722 fewer positions than were available last year, vacant jobs cut from agencies by the governor and legislators. Any other unfilled jobs can be filled.

Governor Bobby Jindal froze most state agency hiring earlier this year as a bid to save money.

Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis says the hiring freeze saved the state $39 million. That money was plugged into other areas of spending.