Facing a multibillion-dollar deficit, KIRO 7 confirmed that Washington state government departments are beginning to freeze hiring.

The Office of Financial Management estimates a deficit of $10 billion to $12 billion over the next four years. While not a statewide freeze like the one implemented in 2020, OFM sent a letter asking departments to “Please consider measures that will result in immediate savings, such as hiring and other freezes. »

The Ministry of Social and Humanitarian Services announced freezes Tuesday that will affect senior management, general service positions, some travel, new equipment and new contracts.

“Our hope is to avoid cutting vital services to Washington residents,” a DSHS spokesperson said.

The union representing state workers says it is aware of the hiring freeze in several departments, but says the workers represented have not been affected.

“Savings like these will help us with our current budget, which runs until June 2025, and the next biennial budget (July 2025 – June 2027),” an OFM spokesperson said.

The OFM says revenue forecasts tend to fall, while workload forecasts, the number of people using public services like kindergartens and daycares, have increased, as have costs after several years of high inflation.

Different organizations across the state are also calling for more public funding.

The state superintendent’s office and schools have called for more state funding. bring school funding back to the levels required by the McCleary decision. The Washington State Patrol is trying to fill a “long-standing staffing shortage.”

“While WSP is looking for ways to reduce costs to bring them in line with current state budget realities, we are not instituting a hiring freeze,” said Chris Loftis of WSP.

Departments will submit their savings plans by November 15, the next state revenue forecast will be released on November 20, and the governor will release the proposed budget on December 20, before state lawmakers return to Olympia in January.