The Institute for Software Research International Presents:
Robert P. Strauss
Professor of Economics and Public Policy
H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management
Carnegie Mellon
Wednesday, November 9, 2005, 12 pm, Newll Simon Hall 1305
Lunch will be provided
Allegheny County's system of real property assessment has been under judicial receivership twice in 25 years. The most recent assessment ordinance, adopted and signed in late October, has been described by its proponents as satisfying constitutional and statutory requirements. The seminar will discuss the major elements of best practice assessment systems throughout the US, measures of assessment quality, constitutional and legal issues, and provide current empirical data about the extent to which the latest system of assessment meets best practice standards. Those who own real estate in Allegheny County will likely find the presentation of interest.
Professor Strauss has written and spoken on these matters. Online materials include:
"KDKA Talk Radio Fred Hornsberger Interview: Assessments"
Pittsburgh, PA 2PM Wednesday October 5, 2005
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/kdka_10_5_05.mp3
"Talk Radio Interview on Allegheny County Assessments"
Pittsburgh, PA Sunday, September 17, 2005
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/radio_9_17_05.mp3
"KDKA (TV) The Editors: Allegheny County Assessments"
County Executive Dan Onorato and Professor Robert Straus
April 2, 2005 Requires MP4 Reader such as Apple Quicktime
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/assessments.mp4
Is Assessment 2005 Going to be Reform or Allegheny County's
Version of "Ground Hog Day?"
Prepared Remarks before the Allegheny County Council
Gold Room. Allegheny County Courthouse. March 15, 2005
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/allegheny_county_march_15_2005.pdf
Residential Real Estate Assessment Fairness in Four Urban Areas
with David A. Strauss, State Tax Notes, 31, 10 (March 8, 2004), 815-820. (Reprinted from Proceedings of the National Tax Association , 96th Annual Research Conference, Chicago, Illinois).
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/nta_2003_3_8_04_corrected-endnotes.pdf
Two topics need action before tax is raised: Real estate-assessment reform and school board accountability will help schools get fairly funded. Philadelphia Enquirer, Sunday 1/12/03. Reprinted in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Thursday, January 16, 2003. Harrisburg Patriot-News, Friday, January 17, 2003.
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/philadephia_enquirer_1_12_03.htm
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Which Pennsylvania County has the
Fairest Real Estate Assessments of them All? (Hint: Not Allegheny)
The Voter , Newsletter of the Allegheny League of Women Voters
May, 20
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/voter_5_02.pdf
Re-Assessment 2001/2: Keystone Comedy or Greek Tragedy?
Prepared Remarks before the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation
and House Democratic Policy Committee. February 1, 2002, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/democrats_2_1_02.pdf
Reassessment 2000: Do you feel lucky?
Opinion and Commentary, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, May 28, 2000
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/rs9f/trib00.html