Houston Mayor implements citywide hiring freeze amid $350 million deficit

Houston Mayor John Whitmire has announced a citywide hiring freeze as the city faces a projected budget shortfall of approximately $350 million. This decision follows an efficiency study conducted by Ernst & Young, which revealed nearly 5,000 vacant positions and highlighted the need for organizational improvements and cost-cutting measures. The hiring freeze will apply to all city departments, except for public safety roles in the fire and police departments, which account for a significant portion of the vacancies. Whitmire emphasized that the freeze is an opportunity to reassess personnel needs and increase government efficiency, aiming to restore public trust in city operations. The mayor's office indicated that further details regarding the freeze will be announced soon, as the administration seeks to address issues of waste and redundancy identified in the study. This move is part of Whitmire's commitment to transparency and accountability within city governance.