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A hard hiring freeze of almost all state agencies goes into effect today, and at least one department head is asking lawmakers for permission to pare back programs and services.

Wyoming Health Department Director Tom Forslund told lawmakers Thursday in Casper it’s difficult for his staff to provide the same level of services to the public, considering there are fewer people working for him.

“It’s easy to say, ‘Attack the administration, attack the upper levels of government,’” Forslund told members of the Joint Labor Health and Social Services Committee. “But I contend that part of the responsibilities of policymakers is to not only run efficiently… But also to look at your core services. Are they still appropriate in today’s world?”

Rejecting tax increases, lawmakers have addressed the slide in oil, gas and coal revenue solely by cutting government.