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Pittsburgh's 2002 base-year system for assessing property values has been thrown out. While the system was far from perfect, the decision is a blow to hundreds of thousands of homeowners and would-be purchasers who continue to have little idea what their taxes might be. The system may have been difficult to comprehend, but it was a system and thus provided some stability. Investments, markets and all things financial do not like instability. It has been said that companies can operate in an economically controlled environment such as the former Soviet Union or pre-1990 China, they just don't do so well when conditions are subject to change on a whim. That's not so unlike the tax system today in Allegheny County. Residents, potential residents and builders are unable to foresee for any period of time into the future what exactly their taxes will be. The system needs to be solidified as quickly as possible. Unfortunately for those desires its now the Pennsylvania State Government we're dealing with. Update: ONOROTO SAYS "No Reassessments."