WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOW TO KEEP COUNTY GOVERNMENT GOING AS STATE FUNDING STARTS TO DIMINISH

Westmoreland County Commissioners vowed to keep the county government going even as state funding starts to diminish due to a lack of a state spending plan.  The Trib reports that officials plan to keep operating essential human service programs as they await word for a $14 million loan from the State Treasury.  Later this week, they will consider approving a full slate of new contracts — totaling several million dollars — for mandated programs, construction work, and public safety efforts with the money currently in the bank.  Earlier this month, the Commissioners laid off 125 county employees as part of cost-saving measures, which also included a halt to overtime pay for most staffers and a hiring and purchasing freeze.