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Bucks County Feeling The Pinch Of Budget Impasse

By Ian Bush

HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) -- Five months and still no budget agreement in Pennsylvania between Governor Wolf and the legislature. Until that happens, Bucks County officials are vowing to cut the purse strings to Harrisburg.

Every month, Bucks County transfers about $4 to 5 million in taxes to the commonwealth. But with no budget, Commissioner Diane Marseglia says they've had to dip into the county's general fund to pay the state's bills to providers.

"But it's done. We're out of money. We'll be out of it and not be able to make any more payments as of Dec. 31."

So, she says, Bucks will keep the cash from payroll and real estate transfer taxes and other revenue sources until the Capitol gets it act together.

"If we don't have money, besides paying our own bills, we're not going to be able to continue to support the social service agencies. We're an important safety net."

(Reporter:) "Could you face some kind of penalty from the governor's office or the legislature?"

"I can't imagine how they're going to give us any kind of penalty when they're not paying their bills to us and we've been floating them for almost six months now," said Marseglia.

Jeff Sheridan, Governor Wolf's spokesman, says they're still hopeful for a budget deal by Thanksgiving.

"Our administration is more than willing to work with counties experiencing financial hardships to try to help them throughout this budget impasse."

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