Originally published Monday, August 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Gregoire orders hiring freeze, fuel and travel cuts

Gov. Christine Gregoire is telling state agencies to cut hiring, travel and fuel costs as the weak economy continues to take its toll. In a memo released...

By The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Gov. Christine Gregoire is telling state agencies to cut hiring, travel and fuel costs as the weak economy continues to take its toll.

In a memo released Monday, Gregoire tells agency directors to cut gas consumption by 5 percent. She also orders freezes on hiring, out-of-state travel, service contracts and extra equipment. There are some exceptions for emergencies.

Officials say the steps could save $90 million in the current budget.

The freeze comes as Gregoire works on a new two-year state budget. The Democrat has been asking agencies to find service cuts to balance the budget. She says tax increases are a last resort.

Gregoire won't say how big of a deficit the state is facing. But legislative budget experts say the gap could be about $2.7 billion.

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