Alaska Lifts 15-Month State Hiring Freeze, Citing Staffing Shortfalls
NewsData.io · United States · Oct 5, 2026
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy quietly ended a hiring freeze imposed in May 2025 via a brief administrative order on Sept. 21, with no public explanation. The freeze had lasted roughly 15 months and was widely criticized for understaffing key agencies including the state permitting office and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, hampering resource development projects. Gubernatorial candidates across party lines have flagged the state's inability to compete for talent as a core issue heading into the next administration. Staffing firms with public-sector or government contractor clients in Alaska may see increased demand as agencies work to fill vacancies built up over more than a year.
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