Harford Executive Warns Against Tax & Spend Charter Amendment

Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly issued the following statement on Bill 24-016, introduced Tuesday by Councilman Aaron Penman. This fiscally irresponsible bill would amend the county charter to allow the council to increase government spending.

“My administration has been working hard to control unsustainable spending and return Harford to a path of fiscal responsibility. This legislation is a backdoor attempt to increase government spending, which will ultimately lead to higher taxes on Harford County citizens and businesses.

As it stands now, the county executive is required to submit a balanced budget to the council, and the council’s only authority is to cut line items. This longstanding process limits the size of government, controls spending and taxes, and protects the county’s AAA bond rating.

Councilman Penman’s charter amendment is an extraordinary effort to allow the council to increase funding for any item in the budget, opening the door to runaway spending and the inevitable tax increases that must follow.

Currently, Harford’s charter mirrors those of the more fiscally responsible Maryland counties. The proposed charter change mirrors provisions unique to the state’s two highest tax-and-spend counties.

Harford County must not go the way of counties that make irresponsible spending promises on the backs of taxpayers, and I urge members of the council to promptly reject this fiscally irresponsible charter amendment.”