D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray is freezing city workers’ salaries and hiring for another year in preparation for an expected federal spending slowdown in 2013 that economists say could send a shockwave through the region’s economy.

In an executive order issued last week, the freeze takes effect immediately and also stops travel for employees beyond city limits. It’s the third year in a row that such a restriction has been placed on city workers. The order does not apply to employees in the city’s legislative branch.