As Harrisburg Budget Battle Continues, Montgomery County Announces It Will No Longer Front State Money To Human Services Agencies
By Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Montgomery County was one of the last counties still fronting the money to human services agencies in the absence of a state budget. But as the impasse in Harrisburg continues, Thursday the county announcing they'll stop paying vendors effectively immediately.
The county had fronted more than $30 million since the Harrisburg budget battle began.
"Unfortunately we just simply can't continue to cover the costs and are not going to be able to pay providers going forward," said Montgomery County chief financial officer Uri Monson.
Monson says they'll try to work with vendors in non-monetary ways, but in order to meet county needs and payroll, he says they need to stop paying effective now.
Commissioner Val Arkoosh with harsh words for Harrisburg lawmakers.
"My understanding is they're on some kind of two week break. Frankly, I don't how they can get up in the morning and look at themselves in the mirror, they should be in Harrisburg working," said Arkoosh.
Monson says they've talked to potential lenders, which, he says is only necessary if there's still no state budget by the end of the year.
