Updated 5:59 p.m.

Days after Oregon Democrats released a list of cuts they said would be necessary without new taxes, Republicans shot back, asking Gov. Kate Brown to freeze state hiring.

In a statement, Senate Republican spokesman Jonathan Lockwood said the proposal would save as much as $790 million over the next two years.

Lockwood did not have a detailed analysis to support that figure, which he said was provided by the Legislative Fiscal Office.

It was unclear whether all of the savings would occur in the general fund. The general fund is where the state is falling short by $1.6 billion for the next biennium, but is only a portion of the money the state handles.

Legislative Fiscal Officer Ken Rocco could not be reached on Thursday.

Under the Republicans' plan, the freeze would only affect non-essential employees, so police, firefighters, first responders, corrections employees and health care providers would not be affected.

In the statement, Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli, of John Day, said the proposal shows his party has solutions to fill the state's budget gap.

"We must move forward with a budget that isn't a list of red-alert threats," he said. "Senate Republicans are committed to listening to Oregonians who have clearly stated, repeatedly, we are not interested in hiking taxes and hurting the poor to satisfy overspending Democrat politicians."

House Minority Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, said a hiring freeze is necessary in light of Democrats' "hesitation" to move forward with comprehensive spending reforms.

"The hiring freeze should exempt positions considered critical to education, public safety and other core services that vulnerable Oregonians rely on," he said. "I hope the Governor will work together with the Legislature in good faith to implement this commonsense cost saving strategy."

House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, D-Portland, called the proposal a bid to "win cheap political points" by some Republicans while members from both parties work on "real" cost-saving strategies, to be unveiled on Friday.

These strategies will include a "realistic" hiring freeze, she said.

"We need an honest conversation about how to solve our state's long-term budget problems," she said, "and look forward to working with members of any party who are willing to get serious."

A few hours after the Republican statement, the governor announced a two-month hiring freeze effective May 1.

-- Anna Marum

amarum@oregonian.com

503-294-5911

@annamarum