Montco Forced To Borrow Money As State Budget Collapses: Report

The Pennsylvania state budget deal, long rumored to finally be at a close, has collapsed, leaving Montgomery County in a tricky situation.

County commissioners approved their own 2016 budget, but also approved borrowing money as the situation continues in Harrisburg, according to reports.

Without borrowing money, the county won’t have the funds to meet basic needs, CBS Philly reports.

The county has enough money to make it to the end of the year, but they will need to borrow to cover payroll and other operating expenses until tax revenue comes in in April, according to reports.

Meanwhile, in Harrisburg, it’s not clear what’s going to happen next.

Lawmakers in the House suggested a stop gap budget, but Governor Wolf and members of the Senate dismissed that as an option.

“Let me be clear. A stop gap is not the answer. We need a full year budget,” Wolf said.

Wolf, in a statement issued Saturday night, attempted to remain optimistic.

“We still have a budget plan. It is a compromise and it is the product of a lot of good people working across the aisle to get it done,” he said.