AP: State hiring freezes allow numerous exceptions

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Financially strapped states that have announced a freeze on all but essential hiring have made thousands of exceptions for zookeepers, dog wardens, golf-course groundskeepers, boxing inspectors, state fair workers and the like, an Associated Press review of hiring records has found.
"What's the point of the order if you're not going to follow it?" grumbled Ohio state Rep. John Adams, a Republican and owner of a furniture store. "In this economy, honor your hiring freeze. I don't know any businesses that are hiring right now."

............."In the current uncertain economic climate, we must be especially prudent stewards of Pennsylvania's resources," Gov. Ed Rendell said in ordering a hiring freeze last September.
Since then, Pennsylvania has brought in more than 1,000 new employees, including a fiscal director making $128,000, a press secretary earning $84,000 and seven clerk typists at salaries from $24,000 to $28,000.
The AP found the exceptions in records requested from seven of the biggest states with hiring freezes, including New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.....read MORE
---------------------------------------------------------------------