Under the authority of art. III, secs. 1 and 24, of the Alaska Constitution and in the interests of efficient administration, I, Frank H. Murkowski, Governor of the State of Alaska, order all principal departments of the executive branch to

1. immediately suspend all hiring actions for vacant and new, exempt or partially exempt positions; exceptions may be granted only at the express written direction of the Office of the Governor;

2. immediately suspend all out-of-state travel for state business by department personnel; exceptions may be granted only at the express written direction of the Office of the Governor; and

3. immediately desist from awarding contracts for personal services on behalf of state government without the express written direction of the Office of the Governor.

Heads of principal departments seeking exceptions under this Order must do so in a written request, submitted to the chief of staff of the Office of the Governor, detailing the proposed action and the reasons for the exceptions. The chief of staff of the Office of the Governor is authorized to
grant such exceptions.

This Order is to remain in effect until January 31, 2003.

This Order takes effect immediately.

Dated this 2nd day of December, 2002.

/s/Frank H. Murkowski
Governor