Baker Orders State Government Hiring Freeze

Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered an immediate hiring freeze across state government as one of his first steps toward reducing a state budget deficit.

The Republican also announced on Friday _ his first full day in office _ that he has ordered cabinet secretaries to begin program-by-program reviews of all state agencies, and review all recent contract amendments and ongoing procurements.

Baker says the state faces a deficit of more than $500 million for the fiscal year that ends July 1.

The hiring freeze requires agencies to withdraw current job postings and prohibits hiring of new contract workers.

The administration says it expects the freeze to save $6.5 million in the current year.