Conn. budget head issues new freeze

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget director is ordering a harder freeze on spending and hiring for the rest of the fiscal year.

In a memo obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, Office of Policy and Management Secretary Benjamin Barnes called on state agency heads to refrain from entering new personal service agreements, such as contracts with consultants, or extending those agreements.

Contracts with social service agencies, such as group homes, are not affected by the memo.

Barnes is also stepping up the administration's efforts to restrict hiring. The memo said only requests to fill critical vacancies will be considered for funding and "agencies should anticipate that few refills will be approved for the balance of the fiscal year."

The current $20 billion budget is about $60 million in deficit.