On March 18, 1985, the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council adopted a revised state General Fund revenue forecast for the current biennium. That forecast was $47.5 million below the December, 1984 estimate. The lower estimate coupled with essential requirements to be met in the supplemental budget has eliminated the projected state General fund balance at the end of this biennium.

WHEREAS, prudent fiscal management requires operating revenue balances; and

WHEREAS, it is possible that revenue collections could still be less than the latest projection;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Booth Gardner, Governor of the state of Washington, by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby direct each agency whose allotments the Governor has the power to revise under RCW 43-88-110, to implement immediately a freeze on hiring, and to curtail purchasing, use of outside consultants, and travel. This hiring freeze and the expenditure restrictions will apply to all activities supported in whole or in part by the General Fund, and will remain in effect until July 1, 1985. The Office of Financial Management will issue implementing details of this Executive Order and requests for exceptions to this Order are to be made in writing by agency directors to the Director of Financial Management.