Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has instituted a hiring and spending freeze on state agencies, but critics were quick to pounce.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is calling for a freeze on hiring, services contracts, goods and equipment purchases, and travel to deal with a projected operating budget shortfall between $10 billion and $12 billion over the next four years. The shortfall exists despite the state’s record $72 billion budget.

Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday declared a spending freeze for Washington state government agencies in response to "a significant operating deficit."

Reacting to Washington’s looming budget shortfall, Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday directed state agencies to freeze nonessential hiring. Inslee also issued a pause on noncritical service contracts, travel and spending on equipment and goods. Filling essential vacancies will still be allowed, as will spending on crucial services.

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee issued a directive on Monday that freezes some hiring, service contracts, and purchases in state agencies amid a projected revenue shortfall in the state.

With the state facing a multi-billion dollar budget gap, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered state agencies to freeze “most non-discretionary and non-essential” hiring, service contracts, purchasing and travel.

Mayor Todd Gloria announced Tuesday that the city will freezing most hiring and review capital spending to address a $258 million budget deficit.

Governor Jay Inslee has mandated a freeze on most non-essential hiring, service contracts, purchasing, and travel for state agencies to address a significant budget shortfall.