H. R. 13--"Advocating the immediate implementation, with
certain exceptions, of a hiring freeze of state employees."
Whereas, Governor Gaston Caperton's stated goal of
downsizing state government by ten percent is recognized as being
in the best interest of the people of the State of West Virginia;
and
Whereas, The best manifestation of a good faith effort to
achieve the stated goal of downsizing state government by ten
percent is to implement a hiring freeze of state employees to
take effect immediately; and
Whereas, There appear to be duplicative programs and
unnecessary programs which result in increased spending and
higher taxes on an annual basis and result in more state
government than we can afford; and
Whereas, The use of a hiring freeze combined with normal
attrition from retirements and voluntary resignations will result
in a reduction in the number of state employees within a few
weeks and the goal of downsizing state government by ten percent
can be attained without painful layoffs in the future; and
Whereas, Nevertheless, it is realized that there may be
exceptions to an immediate hiring freeze such as the necessary
hiring of correctional officers to staff the new state
penitentiary and regional jails or civilians to relieve state
troopers who are now conducting driver's license examinations;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the West Virginia House of Delegates supports Governor
Gaston Caperton's stated goal of downsizing state government by
ten percent and with the possible exceptions noted above, a
policy of a hiring freeze of state employees be implemented
immediately.