Walker’s office tweaks hiring restriction policy

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Gov. Bill Walker’s office has tweaked its policy on state agency hiring restrictions, shifting decision-making authority from Walker’s chief of staff to state commissioners.
John Hozey, a deputy chief of staff to Walker, says quarterly hiring and travel reports will be used as an accountability measure.
Last January, Walker’s office barred non-essential travel and restricted hiring to help cut costs. Commissioners could seek waivers to the hiring res