Senate votes on bills to freeze pay, hiring, equipment purchases – updated

The Senate has passed several budget bills, including one to freeze state worker pay and another to  freeze state worker hiring, equipment purchases and out-of-state travel for the remainder of the biennium.

On the bill to freeze hiring, Sen. Rodney Tom said this is the earliest in session the Senate has voted on a budget savings bill. He said the bill will create accountability and transparency while saving the state money.

Sen. Curtis King, however, said he wasn’t sure how he’d vote on the bill. He said a community college in his district needs to hire two people and buy equipment that costs over $5,000 — both things prohibited in the bill. He said they’ll only be able to make those hires and purchases if it’s approved by the Office of Financial Management.

Update: The Senate passed the bill to freeze hiring, 45 to 3. The bill to limit compensation also passed.

Tags: budget savings