By Ford Turner

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

MIDDLETOWN — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro lambasted Republican senators over the three-month-old state budget impasse as Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity advanced a loan program to help impasse-affected counties.

It was not mentioned by either one, but the two might well face off in an election next year.

Shapiro is expected to seek re-election and Garrity already has the state Republican gubernatorial endorsement, and both are paying close attention to the state budget mess.

With no spending plan in place since July 1, many payments to schools, counties and other entities have stopped. Some are considering borrowing money, furloughing workers, shutting facilities and other measures.

On Tuesday, Shapiro said he issued his budget address 238 da

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