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Robert Cassilly (politician)

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Bob Cassilly
Cassilly in 2023
8th Executive of Harford County
Assumed office
December 5, 2022
Preceded byBarry Glassman
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 34th district
In office
January 14, 2015 – December 5, 2022
Preceded byNancy Jacobs
Succeeded byChristian Miele
Member of the Harford County Council from District C
In office
December 2, 2002 – December 4, 2006
Preceded byMichael Geppi
Succeeded byJames V. McMahan Jr.
Bel Air Town Commissioner
In office
1997–2001
Personal details
Born
Robert Cassilly

July 1958 (age 66)
Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children5
Residence(s)Bel Air, Maryland, U.S.
EducationJohns Hopkins University (BA)
University of Baltimore (JD)
Awards Bronze Star
Signature
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Maryland National Guard
Years of service1976–present
Unit101st Airborne Division
Battles/warsIraq War

Robert G. Cassilly (born July 1958) is an American politician who is currently the county executive of Harford County, Maryland. He previously served in the Maryland State Senate from 2015 to 2022, representing District 34.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Cassilly was born in July 1958, in Havre de Grace, Maryland. He was one of twelve children born to Robert R. Cassilly Jr. and Nancy Cassilly.[2]

Cassilly graduated from Bel Air High School in 1976, and later attended Johns Hopkins University, where he was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and earned a B.A. degree in international relations in 1980. Cassilly later attended the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he earned a J.D. degree cum laude in 1988.[3] While attending the University of Baltimore, he served as a law clerk to Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Levitz and Court of Special Appeals Judge John J. Bishop Jr.[4]

Career

[edit]

From 1976 to 1978, Cassilly served in the Maryland National Guard. He later served in the 7th Infantry Division of the United States Army from 1980 to 1985.[4] In February 2006, Cassilly was activated by the United States Army and deployed in Iraq, where he served as a senior governance advisor in the Karbala Governorate and as a strategic planner for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad until 2010. After returning to the United States, Cassilly worked for three years in the United States Department of State, supporting U.S. efforts to counter violent extremists in the Near East region.[4][5]

Cassilly first got involved in politics in 1992, when he became a member of the Harford County Republican Central Committee. He served in this position until 1997, when he was elected to the Bel Air, Maryland town commission. Cassilly served as the commission's president from 2000 to 2001, and resigned in 2002[4][6] after he was elected to the Harford County Council, representing District C in southeastern parts of the county.[7] Cassilly declined to resign from the County Council after being mobilized in February 2006, expressing concern that his resignation "might result in a significant shift of the current balance of interests on the Council in a manner that would not be favorable to the citizens".[8] However, because he did not file to run for re-election before his deployment, he was barred from running for re-election under Department of Defense Directive 1344.10.[9][10]

In September 2013, Cassilly started his own law firm.[5]

Maryland Senate

[edit]
Cassilly in 2018

Elections

[edit]

In September 2013, Cassilly filed to run for Maryland Senate in District 34, seeking to succeed retiring state senator Nancy Jacobs.[5] He ran unopposed in the Republican primary election[11] and defeated Democratic state delegate Mary-Dulany James in the general election. At the same time, his younger brother Andrew Cassilly was elected as state delegate in District 35B and his other brother was re-elected as state's attorney.[2]

Cassilly filed to run for re-election in January 2018.[12] He defeated former state delegate Mary-Dulany James in a tight general election on November 6, 2018, receiving 50.1 percent of the vote to James's 49.7 percent,[13] or by a 189 vote margin out of 48,788 votes cast.[14]

Tenure

[edit]

Cassilly was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 14, 2015. He was a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee during his entire tenure, as well as the Joint Committee on Federal Relations and the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review.[4]

Harford County Executive

[edit]

Tenure

[edit]
A map of the 2022 Harford county executive election showing how candidates did in each precinct.
2022 Harford County executive election results by precinct
  Cassilly
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Miller
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%

In April 2021, Cassilly opted not to run for re-election to a third term to the Maryland Senate, instead filing to run for Harford County executive.[15] He defeated rival Billy Boniface in the Republican primary on July 19, 2022,[16] and later defeated Democratic nominee Blane Miller III in the general election on November 8.[17] Cassilly was sworn in as county executive on December 5.[18]

County government infighting

[edit]

Cassilly's first year as county executive was marked by infighting with the Harford County government, including the County Council, which he has described as "political attacks" by unnamed political entities in the county.[19]

Following his election, Cassilly moved to block newly elected Democratic county councilmember Jacob Bennett from attending the county's inaugural ceremonies, citing a Section 207 of the Harford County Charter, which prevents people with county or state jobs from serving on the county council.[18][20][21] In February 2023, Harford County Circuit Court Judge Richard Bernhardt ruled in Cassilly's favor, saying that Bennett could not serve on the county council until he resigned from his position as a middle school science teacher. Following this decision, Cassilly changed the locks on Bennett's office and restricted access to his government email account.[22] In April 2023, the Maryland Supreme Court overturned the lower court ruling, allowing Bennett to take office.[23]

In July 2023, County Councilmember Aaron Penman accused Cassilly of violating Maryland's wiretapping statutes by monitoring communications between Penman, county Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler, former county executive Barry Glassman, and various "targeted citizens". The emails were searched after the county human resources director asked the county Office of Information Technology director to search Penman's email for communications between him and various other officials in county government to determine if there was "any basis to suspect misuse of county funds". Penman had earlier accused Cassilly of misappropriating county funds by transferring $7 million from the county's general fund to the Department of Emergency Management. In a statement to Maryland Matters, Cassilly acknowledged monitoring Penman's emails, but denied any wrongdoing, asserting that county policy allowed for such reviews and attributing his accusations to politics.[24][25] A criminal investigation was opened into the wiretapping allegations by Harford County State's Attorney Allison Healey, and later turned over to the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor to avoid conflicts of interest.[26][27]

In September 2023, Cassilly temporarily blocked county auditor Chrystal Brooks from accessing Workday, a financial reporting program used by the county, a potential violation of the county charter. The restrictions appear to have been placed in response to budget disputes from earlier in his term, including Cassilly's opposition to a new facility for the Harford County Sheriff's Department.[19] Brooks' access to the financial system was restored later in the week.[28]

In late September 2023, Healey threatened to sue Cassilly after he blocked her access to the email account of a "key employee who is on emergency family leave". Cassilly associated the request with the ongoing criminal investigation into Penman's wiretapping allegations and said that she could gain access to the emails if she released a statement denying Cassilly of any wrongdoing in the investigation.[29][30] Following the threat of a lawsuit, Cassilly granted Healey with access to new emails sent to the employee.[31]

In October 2023, Cassilly sought the removal of Penman from the Harford County Council, arguing that him serving as a councilmember and as a deputy sheriff was a violation of the county charter.[32] County Council President Patrick Vicenti rejected Cassilly's request to unseat Penman, saying that the council did not have the authority to remove him and suggested that Cassilly seek a court order to determine if Penman violated the county charter.[33] In February 2024, Penman field an ethics complaint against Cassilly, alleging that he expedited the approval of a real estate plat submitted on the behalf of his brother, Joseph Cassilly. Cassilly rejected Penman's accusations, saying that his director of administration, Robert McCord, reviewed and signed the plat since it involved his brother, and once again called for the removal of Penman from office.[34][35]

In March 2024, the Maryland Public Information Act Compliance Board found Cassilly's administration in violation of the Public Information Act after refusing to fulfill a request by Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler to disclose emails connected to a feasibility study conducted on the county's behalf by architectural firm Manns Woodward Studios. In response, Cassilly said that he would not fulfill Gahler's request until the county circuit court ruled on whether the Compliance Board had authority to state whether accessing county servers is illegal.[36]

Political positions

[edit]

Crime and policing

[edit]

During the 2017 legislative session, Cassilly voted against a bill that would give the Attorney General of Maryland the ability to sue the federal government.[37] He also opposed a bill that would give investigators in the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office police powers.[38]

In October 2017, after a man killed three co-workers and critically wounded two others in Edgewood, Maryland, Cassilly introduced a bill to allow judges to sentence people convicted of serial murder or murder of a law enforcement officer to death.[39]

In 2021, Cassilly voted against a bill that would end life without parole sentences for juveniles.[40]

In August 2023, following the murder of Rachel Morin on the Ma and Pa Trail, Cassilly ordered the installation of security cameras along the trail.[41]

Development initiatives

[edit]

During his county council candidacy in 2002, Cassilly said the council needed "to look at all revenue sources" to address infrastructure needs and should address growth holistically.[42]

In 2003, Cassilly said he opposed a proposal to limit the height of buildings in downtown Bel Air to five stories, expressing concerns that it would have unintended effects on the area.[43]

In 2004, after a gasoline leak at an Exxon station contaminated well water at 225 homes with methyl tert-butyl ether, Cassilly introduced a bill that would place a temporary moratorium on the construction of gas stations in Harford County.[44][45] The county council unanimously voted to pass the bill in September 2004,[46] and it was signed into law by County Executive James M. Harkins in the same month.[47] In 2005, Cassilly introduced a bill that would ban gas stations near homes with well water systems.[48]

In December 2004, Cassilly voted for a bill placing a 90-day moratorium on senior housing construction, expressing concern with the amount of senior housing development in the county.[49]

In February 2023, Cassilly proposed a six-month moratorium on permits for county warehouse projects.[50] The bill passed by a 6–1 vote and was signed into law on April 18, 2023.[51] In October 2023, Cassilly supported a bill to limit the size of warehouses built in Harford County, which passed the county council in a 5-2 vote.[52]

Education

[edit]

In 2018, following the Parkland and Great Mills high school shootings, Cassilly supported a bill that would put a school resource officer in every school.[53] Cassilly opposes the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, an education reform package passed by the legislature in 2021.[54]

During his tenure as county executive, Cassilly frequently battled with county superintendent Sean Bulson and the county school board over funding for the Harford County Public Schools system,[55] saying that he would not raise taxes to pay for the state's Blueprint reforms[56] and blaming the school system's budgetary crisis on the use of American Rescue Plan Act to create more than 100 new positions. Cassilly also disputed Bulson's claims that the county school system should have received consistent five percent increases annually since 2023, arguing that such increases would require the county to "eliminate ambulances and defund the police" and that the county should instead return to a "normal rate of increases" that matches what the district has seen for the past fifteen years. Bulson disputed Cassilly's arguments as misinformed, saying that the county already has the funding needed to provide consistent funding increases to the school system as opposed to keeping funding flat, which he said would increase class sizes and cut teaching positions.[55]

In his first budget in April 2023, Cassilly proposed cutting the county's education by $19 million, which was criticized by the county Superintendent of Schools Sean Bulson as the "worst-case scenario".[57] Cassilly defended these cuts, pointing out that Harford County Public Schools had a $90 million surplus and was due to receive $20 million in funding from the Blueprint.[58][59] In May 2023, Cassilly and the Harford County school board reached an agreement to increase funding for Harford County Public Schools by $25 million.[60] He signed his budget into law on June 15, 2023.[61]

During his 2024 state of the county address, Cassilly said that he would propose a five percent increase to the county's public schools funding; his fiscal year 2025 budget, unveiled in April 2024, did not include any increase in funding for the county's school system, which he blamed on an unexpected drop in income tax revenues. Cassilly further blamed the state's minimum wage increase and tax policies for the revenue drop and refused to increase county taxes to pay for the five percent increase, citing the $99 million held in reserves by the school board, community college, and public library system.[62]

In October 2024, after the county school system and sheriff's office requested $80 million in additional funding for wage increases, Cassilly posted a video to Facebook telling school officials to "stop playing politics" and to "face to the fiscal reality", citing two consecutive years of low revenue growth in the county. He added that the county would need to raise property taxes by 20 percent to afford the wage increases, which he refused to do.[63]

Government

[edit]

In 2003, Cassilly introduced a bill that would have created a ballot referendum on whether the Harford County Council should have the ability to hire an auditor to oversee the county's finances.[64] The bill was reintroduced in 2004 and passed by a 4–3 vote but was vetoed by County Executive James M. Harkins.[65]

In 2016, Cassilly opposed provisions in a bill that would require automatic government spending on several Baltimore-targeted programs.[66]

In November 2016, Cassilly said he opposed the Question A referendum in Harford County, which would move the county's property acquisition procedures from the Department of Procurement to the Department of Administration.[67]

In July 2024, Cassilly vetoed a bill to create a 2024 county referendum that, if approved by voters, would have given the Harford County Council the ability to reallocate funds to any part of the county budget.[68]

Guns

[edit]

During the 2016 legislative session, Cassilly introduced a bill to remove the "one shot" requirement from firearm safety training courses, arguing that it didn't "do anything to promote weapons safety".[69]

Immigration

[edit]

In November 2023, Cassilly opposed a proposal that he claimed would house about 220 undocumented immigrants in Harford County-area hotels, saying that he would "use every resource at my disposal to prevent it". State officials told The Baltimore Sun shortly after Cassilly made this statement that there was no such plan in the works.[70] In June 2024, Cassilly blamed illegal immigration and the immigration policy of the Joe Biden administration for the murders of Rachel Morin[71] and Kayla Hamilton. After Donald Trump won the 2024 United States presidential election, Cassilly pledged to "fully support" Trump's mass deportation program.[72]

Marijuana

[edit]

In 2018, Cassilly voted against a bill that would lessen the penalties for carrying an ounce of marijuana, which he said was "too high a threshold".[73] He also opposed a bill that would have created a referendum to legalize recreational marijuana.[74] During the 2019 legislative session, Cassilly introduced a bill to prohibit smoking or consuming marijuana in a vehicle on the highway.[75]

Minimum wage

[edit]

In 2019, Cassilly voted against a bill that would raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025, calling it a "direct assault" on companies that offer entry-level positions.[76]

Social issues

[edit]

During the 2015 legislative session, Cassilly introduced a bill that would allow evidence of previous sexual assault allegations to be brought in to criminal trials.[77] In March 2020, he wrote to Republican members of the Maryland House of Delegates urging them to vote against a bill to extend the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse lawsuits, comparing the bill to the sexual assault accusations made against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his nomination.[78]

In 2016, Cassilly voted against a bill to strip pro-Confederate lyrics from the state song, "Maryland, My Maryland", accusing legislators of erasing the history of people who felt deeply about their principles.[79] In 2018, he opposed a bill that would strip the song of its title as the official state anthem, distancing himself from the song's pro-Confederate sympathies but likening its reclassification to "book burning" and praising its homage to Maryland's military glories.[80] In 2021, he voted for a bill to scrap "Maryland, My Maryland" as the official state anthem.[81]

In January 2018, Cassilly objected to remarks made on the floor of the Maryland Senate condemning comments made by President Donald Trump calling Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations "shithole countries", saying that the remarks were "not appropriate matter for the Senate of Maryland".[82][83]

In 2019, Cassilly said he opposed a bill to legalize palliative care, saying he believed that it would shift the state's medical community's focus away from hospice care.[84]

During the 2020 legislative session, Cassilly voted to sustain Governor Larry Hogan's veto of a bill that would limit employers from asking a job applicant's criminal record.[85]

Transportation

[edit]

In 2016, Cassilly voted to sustain Governor Larry Hogan's veto on a bill that would require the governor to publicly rate and rank transportation projects before including them in the state budget.[86]

Personal life

[edit]

Cassilly is married to his wife Debbie, whom he had met at Bel Air High School. They live in Bel Air, Maryland and have five children.[5]

Electoral history

[edit]
Harford County Council District C Republican primary election, 1998[87]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael Geppi 6,817 50.4
Republican Bob Cassilly 6,719 49.6
Harford County Council District C Republican primary election, 2002[88]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Cassilly 2,082 50.3
Republican Michael Geppi (incumbent) 2,054 49.7
Harford County Council District C election, 2002[89]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Cassilly 11,751 70.5
Democratic Joan Morrissey Ward 3,987 23.9
Independent Clifton Dowling Jr. 900 5.4
Write-in 20 0.1
Maryland Senate District 34 Republican primary election, 2014[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Cassilly 5,058 100.0
Maryland Senate District 34 election, 2014[90]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Cassilly 22,042 57.2
Democratic Mary-Dulany James 16,459 42.7
Write-in 62 0.2
Maryland Senate District 34 election, 2018[91]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Cassilly (incumbent) 24,445 50.1
Democratic Mary-Dulany James 24,256 49.7
Write-in 87 0.2
Harford County Executive Republican primary results, 2022[92]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Cassilly 19,626 66.5
Republican Billy Boniface 9,879 33.5
Harford County Executive election, 2022[93]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Cassilly 65,490 64.1
Democratic Blane H. Miller III 36,408 35.6
Write-in 268 0.3
Total votes 102,166 100.0

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "GAM-Senator Cassilly Legislation 2017 Regular Session". mgaleg.maryland.gov.
  2. ^ a b Anderson, David (November 18, 2014). "Three Cassilly brothers score clean sweep in Harford election". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "Harford County Government, Officials". The Baltimore Sun. October 24, 2004. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Robert G. Cassilly". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. December 7, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Bob Cassilly files for Senate in District 34". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. September 18, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Brown, Lane Harvey; Shelsby, Ted (January 19, 2003). "Town goes to the polls Tuesday to elect three new commissioners". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Brown, Lane Harvey (November 6, 2002). "Harkins re-elected in executive race". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Fenton, Justin (April 25, 2006). "Councilman will not resign". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Fenton, Justin (February 12, 2006). "War service could boost election odds for Cassilly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  10. ^ Hare, Mary Gail (May 13, 2007). "Home again after year in Iraq". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  12. ^ Anderson, David (January 9, 2018). "Harford exec has election challenger, council president stepping down, as 2018 candidates keep filing". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Anderson, David (November 14, 2018). "Incumbent Harford Del. Glen Glass anticipates defeat as challenger Steve Johnson's lead widens". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  18. ^ a b Ford, William J. (December 5, 2022). "Cassilly comes home to serve as Harford County executive". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
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  30. ^ Amara, Kate (September 18, 2023). "Harford County prosecutor announces intent to sue county executive". WBAL-TV. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
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  33. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (October 4, 2023). "Harford Council president tells Cassilly to go to court to remove member". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
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  35. ^ Kugiya, Hugo (February 29, 2024). "Political strife in Harford County continues, this time over a family farm". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  36. ^ Terzi, Ben (March 26, 2024). "Maryland compliance board rules Cassilly's office violated Public Information Act". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  37. ^ Cox, Erin; Dresser, Michael (February 11, 2017). "Assembly moves quickly to give Frosh authority to sue Trump administration". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  38. ^ Fenton, Justin (February 22, 2017). "Police powers for Baltimore prosecutor's office could help street drug enforcement, legislative panel is told". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  39. ^ Richman, Talia (October 23, 2017). "Maryland workplace shooting suspect will be tried for shooting in Delaware first". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  40. ^ Stole, Bryn (March 19, 2021). "Maryland senators vote to end life without parole for juveniles". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  41. ^ Morales, Maria (August 17, 2023). "Rachel Morin homicide prompts plan to install security cameras on Ma & Pa Trail". The Aegis. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  42. ^ Brown, Lane Harvey (October 20, 2002). "Growth is dominant theme in Harford race". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  43. ^ Brown, Lane Harvey (July 13, 2003). "Building height proposal debated". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  44. ^ "Harford Week". The Baltimore Sun. August 8, 2004. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  45. ^ Shelsby, Ted (July 11, 2004). "Harford considers freeze on new gas stations". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  47. ^ "Harford Week". The Baltimore Sun. September 12, 2004. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  48. ^ Shelsby, Ted (May 15, 2005). "Council bill would restrict gas stations". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  49. ^ Shelsby, Ted (December 8, 2004). "90-day hold put on approval of Harford Co. senior housing". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  50. ^ Fontelieu, Jason (February 2, 2023). "Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly proposes moratorium on warehouse projects". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  51. ^ McDowell, Ashley (April 18, 2023). "Harford County Executive signs bill that will pause building warehouses in Perryman". WMAR-TV. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  52. ^ Fontelieu, Jason (October 18, 2023). "Harford County Council passes long-awaited warehousing legislation". The Aegis. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  53. ^ Shapiro, Zach (April 2, 2018). "Maryland bill would put an armed officer in every public school". The Baltimore Sun. Associated Press. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  54. ^ Butler, Erika (April 25, 2019). "Harford lawmakers warn future tax increases 'inevitable' in order for Maryland to fund Kirwan education recommendations". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  55. ^ a b Griffith, Kristen (November 21, 2024). "A Maryland school system's budget crisis is already starting". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  56. ^ Kawata, Amy (April 19, 2023). "Harford County Schools slam executive's budget proposal over $19.4M budget cut". CBS Baltimore. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  57. ^ Fontelieu, Jason (April 20, 2023). "Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly's FY 2024 budget cuts education, overall spending". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  58. ^ Valera, Dennis (April 19, 2023). "Controversy continues as Harford County Schools faces $19 million cut in proposed budget". CBS Baltimore. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  59. ^ McDowell, Ashley (April 19, 2023). "'This is unprecedented': Concerns rise over proposed HCPS budget reduction". WMAR-TV. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  60. ^ Parks, Katia (May 18, 2023). "Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly, school board announce plan to increase school funding". The Aegis. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  61. ^ Fontelieu, Jason (June 15, 2023). "Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly signs fiscal year 2024 budget into law". The Aegis. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  62. ^ Belson, Dan (April 15, 2024). "Harford County executive unveils $1.23B budget proposal amid expected revenue shortfall". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  63. ^ Hubbard, Matt (October 29, 2024). "Cassilly says Harford school officials should 'stop playing politics,' asking $60M in funding". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  64. ^ "Harford Week". The Baltimore Sun. February 23, 2003. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  65. ^ Shelsby, Ted (March 28, 2004). "Harkins vetoes auditor request". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  66. ^ Cox, Erin (April 1, 2016). "State lawmakers approve hundreds of millions in aid for Baltimore, await Hogan's possible veto". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  67. ^ Anderson, David (November 10, 2016). "Harford County voters approve Question A to amend charter procedures on property transactions". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  68. ^ Hubbard, Matt (July 5, 2024). "Cassilly vetoes bill expanding Harford Council's budgetary power". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  69. ^ Anderson, David (January 6, 2016). "Harford sheriff wants changes in law to make handguns easier to own". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  70. ^ Freeman, Caitlyn (November 17, 2023). "No evidence exists to back up plans that would bring undocumented immigrants to Harford, officials say". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  71. ^ Barker, Jeff; Hubbard, Matt (June 27, 2024). "Immigration, Harford County homicide loom over Thursday's debate between Trump, Biden". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
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