Baton Rouge, Louisiana — Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has issued an executive order implementing a hiring freeze across the executive branch of state government, aiming to achieve approximately $20 million in annualized savings from the state general fund.
The order, which takes immediate effect, applies to all departments and agencies within the executive branch but does not extend to local government entities such as parish or municipal governments.
The executive branch encompasses numerous state departments including health, education, transportation, and public safety. These entities will now be required to halt new hiring processes unless specifically exempted by provisions within the executive order.
Financial analysts note that hiring freezes are a common strategy for governments seeking to reduce expenditures without implementing immediate layoffs. By not filling positions as they become vacant through retirement or resignation, the state can gradually reduce personnel costs.
The $20 million target represents only a portion of Louisiana’s overall state budget.
Critics of hiring freezes often point to potential service delivery impacts, while supporters emphasize the need for government to operate more efficiently with existing resources.
Regarding the hiring freeze, Louisiana Governor Landry said, “To ensure the long-term fiscal health of Louisiana and protect essential services for our most vulnerable citizens, we must take decisive action now to address revenue shortfalls. By implementing a temporary hiring freeze, we will reign in spending, saving an annualized $20 million. This is a necessary step to give the Legislature more options, to prevent deeper cuts to healthcare and education, and to safeguard the future of our state,”