Westmoreland County has not received any state funding since the state budget expired in June.

After county officials furloughed 125 workers and put in place a hiring freeze, they are looking to take out a loan of over $14 million from the state treasury to keep essential human services running.

"Services have not been cut or reduced in any way," said Republican County Commissioner Sean Kertes. "But we are taking the precautionary step to keep those services functioning and working at the fullest potential possible."

Roughly three-fourths of the county's budget comes from both state and federal funding. By law, the state mandates essential human services such as housing, medical assistance, drug and alcohol programs, and food assistance be carried out by the county, regardless of a budg

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