Westmoreland County Plans Employee Furloughs, Park Closures Amid Pennsylvania Budget Impasse

Westmoreland County is facing significant financial strain due to the ongoing Pennsylvania state budget impasse, prompting county officials to plan employee furloughs and park closures starting in early October. The county has fronted $31 million from its own funds to maintain essential services but has now reached a point where further austerity measures, including hiring freezes, overtime cuts, and potential layoffs, are necessary to manage cash flow shortages. Commissioners emphasized that while essential services will continue, furloughs expected to last up to a month are unavoidable, and popular events like Halloween Hobgoblin Hikes have been canceled. The budget deadlock stems from disagreements between state Democrats and Republicans, with Senate Republicans arguing that Democrats’ spending proposals would increase taxes and deplete the Rainy Day Fund, while county officials blame legislative inaction for the financial crisis affecting social services and vulnerable populations. Some county leaders have proposed legal action against the state government to recover lost revenue, underscoring the severity of the fiscal challenges. Despite political disputes, there is a call from local officials for the state Senate to pass a budget promptly to restore funding and stabilize county operations.