911 Funding, Mental Health, Reassessment Headline Pa Counties’ Legislative Priorities in 2026
News Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The 2026 priorities were selected by the full CCAP membership, which spans all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
County leaders across Pennsylvania unveiled three key legislative priorities Wednesday morning at the State Capitol, led by a call to increase 911 funding in the state, followed by mental health funding and assistance in property reassessment.
The 2026 priorities were selected by the full CCAP membership, which spans all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
Watch full press conference here.
"Our members—from counties large and small, urban, suburban, and rural—selected these three issues because they are of the greatest significance and viewed as the most impactful for counties in the coming year," said Dr. Kyle Kopko, CCAP Executive Director.
Pennsylvania’s 911 system, which is run by counties, continues to be a growing concern. Counties are calling for an increase to the 911 surcharge to $2.20 through the next reauthorization to better align revenues with the increasing costs of technology and staffing. The current surcharge sits at $1.95.
“This is a service counties are proud to provide. But as technology evolves and costs rise, counties need a consistent and sustainable funding structure to continue fulfilling this responsibility,” said CCAP President and Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz.
In addition to 911 funding and reauthorization, counties have also prioritized adequate funding for county mental health programs and assistance to conduct timely property reassessments.
On County Mental Health Funding
Counties deliver critical mental health services – such as community residential programs, family-based support, outpatient care, and crisis intervention – on behalf of the state. These services must be properly funded to ensure that county residents can access the care that they need.
Counties are asking for a $40 million increase in the state’s mental health community-based system to help counties maintain and rebuild the existing safety net of services, before adding other additional programs and services needed by the community.
“Counties have stretched the limited state funding to serve as many residents as possible, but we are now at a breaking point,” said Betsy McClure, Greene County Commissioner and Chair of the CCAP Human Services Committee. “This is not a problem that can be swept under the rug. We all know someone that has dealt with mental health issues - Whether treatment is needed by an elderly parent, a spouse or a child outside of the school environment.”
On Assistance to Conduct Timely Property Reassessments
Counties decide when to conduct reassessments based on sales ratios, market changes, staff availability, data accuracy, and time since the last reassessment. However, Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation without a statutory requirement for cyclical property reassessments. Counties are looking to work with the state on innovative funding, modernization and the establishment of a coordinated approach with a designated state agency to oversee funding, develop fair assessment standards, manage funding programs, and audit sales and valuation data.
“While state law sets the framework, the administration, funding, and timing of reassessments fall squarely on counties,” said Jeff Thomas, Huntingdon County Commissioner and Chair of the CCAP Assessment and Taxation Committee. “Property reassessment is always a hot-button issue. But with the right policy changes, we can make the process more efficient, timely, and accurate for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians.”
For these three priorities to come to fruition, counties are relying on a strong partnership with the state legislature and the Shapiro administration.
“We look forward to working with our colleagues in the legislature and executive branch in the coming months, Kopko said.
The 2026 priorities were selected by the full CCAP membership, which spans all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
Watch full press conference here.
"Our members—from counties large and small, urban, suburban, and rural—selected these three issues because they are of the greatest significance and viewed as the most impactful for counties in the coming year," said Dr. Kyle Kopko, CCAP Executive Director.
Pennsylvania’s 911 system, which is run by counties, continues to be a growing concern. Counties are calling for an increase to the 911 surcharge to $2.20 through the next reauthorization to better align revenues with the increasing costs of technology and staffing. The current surcharge sits at $1.95.
“This is a service counties are proud to provide. But as technology evolves and costs rise, counties need a consistent and sustainable funding structure to continue fulfilling this responsibility,” said CCAP President and Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz.
In addition to 911 funding and reauthorization, counties have also prioritized adequate funding for county mental health programs and assistance to conduct timely property reassessments.
On County Mental Health Funding
Counties deliver critical mental health services – such as community residential programs, family-based support, outpatient care, and crisis intervention – on behalf of the state. These services must be properly funded to ensure that county residents can access the care that they need.
Counties are asking for a $40 million increase in the state’s mental health community-based system to help counties maintain and rebuild the existing safety net of services, before adding other additional programs and services needed by the community.
“Counties have stretched the limited state funding to serve as many residents as possible, but we are now at a breaking point,” said Betsy McClure, Greene County Commissioner and Chair of the CCAP Human Services Committee. “This is not a problem that can be swept under the rug. We all know someone that has dealt with mental health issues - Whether treatment is needed by an elderly parent, a spouse or a child outside of the school environment.”
On Assistance to Conduct Timely Property Reassessments
Counties decide when to conduct reassessments based on sales ratios, market changes, staff availability, data accuracy, and time since the last reassessment. However, Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation without a statutory requirement for cyclical property reassessments. Counties are looking to work with the state on innovative funding, modernization and the establishment of a coordinated approach with a designated state agency to oversee funding, develop fair assessment standards, manage funding programs, and audit sales and valuation data.
“While state law sets the framework, the administration, funding, and timing of reassessments fall squarely on counties,” said Jeff Thomas, Huntingdon County Commissioner and Chair of the CCAP Assessment and Taxation Committee. “Property reassessment is always a hot-button issue. But with the right policy changes, we can make the process more efficient, timely, and accurate for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians.”
For these three priorities to come to fruition, counties are relying on a strong partnership with the state legislature and the Shapiro administration.
“We look forward to working with our colleagues in the legislature and executive branch in the coming months, Kopko said.