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.