SACRAMENTO (AP) – California agencies have been ordered to stop buying coffee mugs, key chains, water bottles and other freebies intended as promotional items.

Gov. Jerry Brown says such purchases cost the state $7.5 million a year. In announcing the ban Friday, the Democratic governor says he was shocked to learn the state spends so much on what he called "plastic gewgaws."

"We don't need this stuff," he said in ordering an end to the purchases.

He previously told half the state's bureaucrats who have government-issued cell phones to give them up. He also has halted purchases of new state vehicles.

His austerity moves are designed to help the state save money as it tries to close a nearly $27 billion budget deficit.

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