Gregoire orders hiring freeze

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris 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 five percent. She also orders freezes on hiring, out-of-state travel, service contracts and extra equipment. There’s 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.