Seeking to head off a state budget deficit in the current year, Gov. Kelly Ayotte ordered a freeze on non-essential hiring throughout state government. "With the current budget environment, it's clear we need to tighten our belts and live within our means,

Gov. Kelly Ayotte is implementing a hiring freeze for state employees ahead of what's expected to be a difficult budget process.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte on Wednesday signed an executive order implementing a hiring freeze in state government, carving out some exceptions. She cited a need to “tighten our belts and live within our means” given the budget deficit the state faces.

Since July, revenue from the state’s major business taxes, which account for about 40% of state collections, have come in more than $80 million shy of forecast.

Seeking to head off a state budget deficit in the current year, Gov. Kelly Ayotte ordered a freeze on non-essential hiring throughout state government.

In an executive order issued Wednesday afternoon, Ayotte implemented a hiring freeze that exempts certain sectors, including state police and corrections.