Pennsylvania is widely cited as the only state without recurring property reassessments. That leaves the task to counties, which produces infrequent and inconsistent reassessments.
Some counties haven't had an assessment in decades, resulting in huge disparities between former and current market values.
Can you say sticker shock?
The last thing Pennsylvania homeowners paying high property and school taxes need is a new assessment and an even higher tax burden. The situation demonstrates how fiscally inept and inefficient state government can be.
State lawmakers not only need to pass legislation requiring reassessments every five or ten years, but also phase in any significant tax increases to give property owners a break.
Doing that would be one way to atone for the gridlock in Harrisburg that delivered a state budget months after it was due.