State budget impasse prompts Allegheny County hiring, spending freeze

Allegheny County is freezing hiring and spending because of a state budget impasse that has left funding in limbo.

The county is losing out on about $75 million per quarter until the state adopts a budget.

The county has a $3.1 billion budget, which has been under increasing pressure.

The freeze takes effect next week, according to Abigail Gardner, a county spokesperson.

“The Allegheny County budget has been carefully managed this year and has strong liquidity, but due to the delay in passing a state budget and the threat of a federal shutdown, we are asking staff to hold off on hiring open, non-critical positions and pause discretionary spending where possible,” Gardner said in a statement.

Like other local governments across the commonwealth, the county is hoping for a resolution soon to the perennial budget stalemate.

Pennsylvania’s legislature failed to adopt a budget by the June 30 deadline. Lawmakers have missed their mandated budget deadline 14 of the past 22 years.

Gov. Josh Shapiro in February pitched a $51.5 billion budget, proposing to increase state spending on Medicaid and education.

In July, the Democratic-controlled House sent a version of the budget — pared back to $50.6 billion — to the Senate, which is in Republican hands.

Republicans have pushed to cap spending at $49.9 billion and address the commonwealth’s ongoing budget deficit, which has been bridged by using funds in the state’s reserve account.

Gardner said county directors were informed this week of the spending and hiring freeze.

All departments are asked to consider the hiring pause, but the county manager’s office will be able to approve “critical positions” — like corrections officers for the Allegheny County Jail or nurses for Kane Community Living Centers — on case-by-case basis, Gardner said.

The county’s online job portal listed 148 open positions as of Thursday morning. Jobs included a deputy director for the Bureau of Environmental Protection, a dentist, a paralegal for the public defender’s office and a park ranger.

Westmoreland County commissioners last week told department heads to halt paid overtime, pause new hiring and restrict nonessential travel and purchases because of the state’s budget delays.

The state budget impasse also is straining school districts throughout the region, as districts are seeing delays in education funding that flows from the commonwealth.

Gateway School District last month told TribLive the state owes the district over $4.6 million.