Harford Executive Cassilly Strongly Opposes Enhanced Spending Via Proposed Charter Amendment

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Harford Executive Bob Cassilly today announced his strong opposition to Bill 26-014 because it would lead to higher taxes by expanding the County Council’s power to spend taxpayer money. Outgoing Councilman Aaron Penman is the sole sponsor of the bill, which would strip away critical, longstanding guardrails in the Harford County Charter that have effectively limited the size of government, controlled spending and taxes, and protected the county’s AAA bond rating.

The recent legislation is lame duck Councilman Penman’s second attempt at amending the charter to pave the way for increased government spending. In 2024, County Executive Cassilly vetoed Bill 24-016 and the veto was not challenged. The county executive’s veto message at the time still applies and is attached.

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