Government Jobs Drop Two Percent Since Tomblin Hiring Freeze

State government jobs have dropped by more than 2 percent since Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin imposed a hiring freeze in 2013.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that the number full-time positions has dropped by 917 since West Virginia’s freeze went into effect.

Tomblin spokeswoman Jessica Tice says the goal is to limit the growth in state employment while maintaining essential services of the state. She says that not all vacant jobs are left unfilled, but that a careful review is made to decide whether replacements are needed.

The biggest drop has occurred in the Department of Health, where the equivalent of about 208 full time jobs have been eliminated. Next is the Higher Education Policy Commission, with 204 fewer employees.