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Property reassessments will never be a popular idea in Pennsylvania, which is why we won't be surprised if legislation in the state House and Senate don't move forward quickly.
But Democrats' idea to require regular property reassessments is one that should, in our opinion, move forward even though it won't be popular.
State Reps. Emily Kinkead, D-Bellevue, and Jen Mazzocco, D-Mt. Lebanon, said recently they will introduce legislation in the state House of Representatives to require regular reassessments. Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, has already introduced legislation (SB 567) that would mandate a property reassessment for every county in the state on a 10-year cycle while also strengthening the role of the state Tax Equalization Board.
Kinkead and Mazzocco were spurred by a recent state court decision forcing Allegheny County to undertake a property reassessment for the first time since 2012. Warren County, which recently finished a reassessment, hadn’t undergone the process since 1989.
Taxation is supposed to be about fairness, but when property reassessments aren't done on a regular basis even a fair process appears unfair when taxpayers who are used to paying one amount are suddenly shocked when their property value skyrockets after 36 years, as happened to some Warren County taxpayers. These are changes that should be made incrementally as market conditions change so that everyone is paying their fair share of the financial cost for government services. Reassessments are also more expensive if they aren't done regularly.
So far only a few Democrats have stepped out onto this particular political limb. As of July only three Democrats had signed on as co-sponsors on Fontana's bill, which hasn't moved out of committee in more than a year in the state Senate. Republicans and Democrats in the state Legislature should get behind legislation that would require regular reassessments. It won't be popular. But it is necessary – particularly after the Allegheny County court ruling that requires that county to reassess its property every five years. We hope it doesn't take a state court ruling to force regular reassessments statewide.
Every other state in the country requires regular property reassessments. Pennsylvania needs to join them.