Arizona government agencies to implement hiring freeze, reduce budgets [Video]

PHOENIX (AZFamily)— The Arizona state government is in for some financial belt-tightening after Gov. Katie Hobbs asked agency directors to start preparing cost savings plans to help address the state’s budget shortfalls over the next two years.

In a letter to state agency directors last Friday, Ben Henderson, the Governor Office’s director of operations, said Hobbs is implementing a “headcount cap” on newly created positions for executive agencies, boards, and commissions. Similar to a hiring freeze, the cap will also apply to contract workers.

“This headcount cap will allow agencies the flexibility to determine which positions need to be filled and which positions can be held vacant,” Henderson said in the letter.

Henderson added that the governor’s office must approve any new hire request from a state agency, board, or commission. All state employees’ out-of-state travel has to get approval from agency leaders as well.

The headcount cap doesn’t apply to agencies led by elected leaders, such as …