Brown orders hiring freeze

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Gov. Jerry Brown has ordered a state government hiring freeze amid California's ongoing fiscal crisis, hours after he dropped a lawsuit filed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over whether the governor has the authority to pay state workers minimum wage.AP in the Daily News,

Brown announced Tuesday what he said was a comprehensive hiring freeze that applies to vacant, seasonal, full-time and part-time positions. The administration estimates it will save $363 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The Democratic governor is allowing for certain exemptions that are critical to public safety, revenue collection and other core functions.