PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey's state hiring freeze has saved Arizona taxpayers $2.2 million since it was enacted by executive order in January.
The governor's office said the number of state employees has dropped by 1.3 percent to about 34,900 in that time.
Ducey imposed the freeze as part of an effort to rein in government spending and cut government bureaucracy. The action doesn't apply to hiring needed for law enforcement, child safety or other public safety agencies.
The actual figure provided by the governor's office Wednesday is close to the projected $2.4 million in savings anticipated between January and June 30.
The freeze is expected to save more than $18 million in the budget year that begins July 1.