Harford County executive opposes more local taxes, backs nuclear power at APG

Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly joined C4 and Bryan Nehman to discuss Maryland’s budget challenges, costs being shifted from the state to local governments and plans for a small modular nuclear reactor at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

When it comes to potentially giving local jurisdictions the ability to do more taxation, Cassilly said that “it’s a big no.”

“We’re the second highest taxing state in the entire country, behind only the illustrious California, and our taxpayers can’t take anymore,” Cassilly said. “The government’s got to live within the taxpayers’ means, not the other way around. The idea that we’re going to solve our problems by, they call them revenue enhancements, even more taxes, is the wrong way to go.”

Cassilly said higher taxes could also make Maryland less competitive with neighboring states and put pressure on businesses to relocate, citing Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Cassilly also discussed Maryland’s energy needs and the Army’s plans for a small modular nuclear reactor at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

The U.S. Army announced plans to bring a small modular nuclear reactor to Aberdeen Proving Ground.

“Harford County on our northern border has got Peach Bottom Atomic Power Plant, built in the ’60s and ’70s using technology from those eras,” Cassilly said, adding that two of the plant’s reactors are still active. “They generate about 2,700 megawatts for that power plant right on our northern border. Now you’re looking at our southern border, the Army’s looking at putting in 390 megawatts.”