(KPEL) -- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has issued an executive order establishing a hiring freeze on the state's executive branch of government.

"To limit or control the growth in government positions and to prepare for the budget challenges in the ensuing years," Jindal says, "prudent fiscal management practices dictate that the best interests of the citizens of the State of Louisiana will be served by the implementation of a hiring freeze in the executive branch."

The hiring freeze would save the state at least $13 million, according to the order.

The freeze puts in place a hold on all vacancies within the state's executive branch, including the Department of Higher Education. According to the executive order, the freeze will remain in place for the 2013 fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2013.

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