Carbon County Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard said that he isn't optimistic about a state budget being passed in the upcoming weeks.

He said he spoke with state Rep. Doyle Heffley and noted that it is like a "tug-o-war" in Harrisburg.When he was at the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania conference last week, Gerhard said that his colleagues from around the state expect the budget stalemate to continue into 2016."I think they have a lot of work to do yet," Gerhard said.Commissioners said county agencies that received loans from the general fund have all indicated the money will last them through the end of the year, but if the stalemate lasts longer than that, additional loans may be needed."Things are good in Carbon County," Gerhard said with regard to the overall health of the county's funds, even with the loans to agencies.Last month, Jeff Weiss, the county financial consultant, said that if all money flow was to stop coming into Carbon County, the county would be able to survive approximately six months before the financial situation requires a loan.