WHEREAS, current inflation rates are driving up the cost of all state services, causing state expenditure levels that may exceed estimates; and

WHEREAS, federal fiscal policy has severely restricted real estate sales and consequently, revenues from the real estate excise tax; and

WHEREAS, the state must operate with a balanced budget with expenditures not exceeding revenues for the biennium;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dixy Lee Ray, Governor of the state of Washington, by virtue of the power vested in me by RCW 43.88, do hereby establish a staffing control program. This program applies to all executive branch agencies, regardless of their source of funding, and is designed to help ensure that expenditures do not exceed revenues during this 1979-81 biennium. This program will take effect the 1st day of May 1980 and will extend indefinitely. The following administrative measures are hereby established to effect this staffing control program.

1. Staffing Freeze

Agency directors are instructed to establish no new positions and to fill not more than 50 percent of funded positions now vacant or vacated during the period of enforcement of this Order. Exceptions to this directive will be granted only for critical or emergent situations for which there is clear evidence that compliance with this directive could be detrimental to the best interest of the state, or in cases where a letter of intent has been signed prior to this order. The Budget Director shall establish criteria and propose procedures for the granting of exceptions to this directive subject to approval by me.

2. Overtime

Agency directors are instructed to reduce wherever possible the use of overtime and other premium pay and to avoid the use of these compensations as a means of circumventing the staffing directive of this Order.

3. Exceptions

All exceptions to this directive will be made by me and are to be requested only by the agency director to the Budget Director.

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