(March 30, 2020 11:42 AM) Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2020-3, temporarily restricting discretionary spending by state departments and agencies while they work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-4, temporarily suspending hiring, creating new positions, filling vacant positions, transfers, and promotions within the executive branch of state government. At a press briefing this morning, Whitmer explained the directives are in line with her number one priority, the health and safety of Michigan residents as coronavirus cases continue to grow. The Governor, joined by Michigan's chief medical executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said that the number of COVID-19 cases here in Michigan will grow in the coming weeks and the state needs thousands more ventilators to handle the surge of patients. The state will likely need 5,000 to 10,000 more ventilators to help patients suffering from respiratory disease in the state, Khaldun said. Estimates from the Governor’s office show Michigan currently has about 1,700 ventilators. "We are still in the early stages of spread in Michigan and cases have not yet peaked," Khaldun said during the press conference. Regarding the 2 new executive orders, Whitmer said, “I want to thank the countless…