Gov. Maura Healey stated she plans to freeze hiring throughout government department businesses and departments later this month in response to “widespread economic uncertainty” on the nationwide stage and a “tightening budget outlook” for the following fiscal 12 months.
Healey’s resolution to limit state hiring comes as Beacon Hill Democrats are grappling with the Trump administration’s federal funding cuts, spending pressures created by inflation and growing demand for providers, and efforts to downsize the federal authorities.
In an announcement Wednesday morning, the first-term Democrat from Arlington stated the prohibition on hiring new workers will take impact Might 27 and won’t embrace a “formal waiver process.” Some exemptions will probably be made for public security officers and direct care suppliers, Healey stated.
“Tariffs and funding cuts from Washington are causing so much economic damage and instability. We are taking this step to prepare for more uncertain economic times, protect taxpayer dollars, and move our state forward while ensuring funding will be available for the vital services people need,” Healey stated in an announcement.
President Donald Trump’s administration has lower tons of of thousands and thousands in federal funding to state businesses in Massachusetts, in response to the Healey administration.
The hiring freeze is the second Healey has put in place in as a few years.
Healey applied restrictions on hirings final 12 months amid dismal state revenues that put strain on the governor and state lawmakers to rein in spending.
Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz stated a hiring freeze will give officers “added flexibility in the budget to respond and react to unforeseen program needs and other deficiencies that may arise.”
“Our uncertain economic future in fiscal year 2026 has been made less predictable by the threat of federal funding cuts and recent market upheaval. While we hope for the best, it is both prudent and responsible to be prepared and take control of what we can now,” Gorzkowicz stated in an announcement.
The Healey administration stated it is going to “reevaluate the effectiveness and need for ongoing hiring controls” as soon as the governor indicators the fiscal 12 months 2026 price range later this 12 months.
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