CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A hiring freeze has taken effect in Wyoming for all state agencies.

The freeze began Monday. It affects all agencies except for the University of Wyoming and the Department of Corrections.

Wyoming Governor's spokesman David Bush says from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2018, 319 positions have been lost from the executive branch of state government.

He says about 7,500 people currently work in executive branch agencies.

Wyoming Health Department Director Tom Forslund expressed his concern with the freeze to lawmakers.

Forslund says anybody who quits or retires cannot be replaced, and his staff is already feeling the pressure of not having enough workers.

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