With the state facing a multi-billion dollar budget gap, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered state agencies to freeze “most non-discretionary and non-essential” hiring, service contracts, purchasing and travel.

Reacting to Washington’s looming budget shortfall, Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday directed state agencies to freeze nonessential hiring. Inslee also issued a pause on noncritical service contracts, travel and spending on equipment and goods. Filling essential vacancies will still be allowed, as will spending on crucial services.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is calling for a freeze on hiring, services contracts, goods and equipment purchases, and travel to deal with a projected operating budget shortfall between $10 billion and $12 billion over the next four years. The shortfall exists despite the state’s record $72 billion budget.