Alaska Gov. Dunleavy Lifts 15-Month State Hiring Freeze Amid Staffing Criticism

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 23, 2026

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has lifted a hiring freeze imposed in May 2025 that had hampered state agencies for roughly 15 months, issuing a brief administrative order with no accompanying explanation. The freeze had been criticized for understaffing key agencies including the permitting office and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, slowing resource development projects. Gubernatorial candidates across the field have flagged the staffing vacuum as a core governance failure, with some promising pay-parity strategies similar to a 2022 attorney pay raise that improved recruitment and retention. For staffing firms, the lifting of the freeze signals potential near-term public-sector placement opportunities in Alaska, particularly for administrative and regulatory roles.