House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Philadelphia is currently the only county in which real estate assessors are not required to be certified. This means that assessors in Philadelphia are missing out on the 90 hours of course study and the examination required to become certified, as well as the 20 hours of biennial continuing education, required of assessors in every other county. Philadelphia residents should feel assured that assessors in their county possess the same level of knowledge and professionalism that exists across the rest of Pennsylvania.

That is why I am introducing legislation to remove Philadelphia’s exemption from the requirement that property assessors be certified. Currently practicing assessors in Philadelphia will have three years to obtain certification. This legislation has passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support in five consecutive legislative sessions. Because 2019 assessments for properties in Philadelphia are showing an overall 10.5 increase in median market values, this is a critical time to ensure trust in the assessment process in our state’s largest county.

Please join me in putting Philadelphia assessors on equal footing with those across Pennsylvania. Your consideration and co-sponsorship is appreciated.