Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced a hiring freeze for the executive branch of state government on Wednesday.
The hiring freeze would cover all state government departments and agencies, but not local government entities.
A press release from the governor's office tied the voters rejection of Amendment 2 to the decision.
“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,” said Landry.