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Dunbar Votes for Fiscally Responsible State Budget to Draw Historic Line Against Excessive Government Spending
Dear Friends:
For just the third time in nearly 40 years, Pennsylvania taxpayers finally have a balanced, on-time state budget that cuts $1.17 billion (4.1 percent) in excessive government spending over last years budget. Signed into law on June 30 and containing no tax increases and no new borrowing, this years $27.1 billion state budget also includes: Historic Investment in Public Education: The $5.35 billion basic education subsidy represents the single largest investment of state tax dollars for public education in state history. Total PreK-12 and higher education funding is $10 billion. Welfare Reform: $404 million in House Republican-initiated spending reductions to the governors originally proposed Department of Welfare (DPW) budget. DPW will receive $10.5 billion under the new General Fund budget. Restoration of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax phase-out to provide Pennsylvanias job creators with approximately $70 million in needed tax relief. Elimination or consolidation of nearly 100 wasteful, non-essential or duplicative line items and government programs. Absolutely zero-funding for so-called WAMs or walking around money previously made available to the governor, the Legislature and politically connected special interests. Last and certainly not least, Pennsylvania taxpayers now have the authority to approve or reject most proposed school property tax increases through voter referendum.
Representative Dunbar answered questions regarding the 2011-12 state budget during his first-ever Town Hall Meeting held at the Jeannette Council Chambers.
I had absolutely no problem voting for this fiscally responsible state budget that contains no new taxes, provides unprecedented state funding for education and, most importantly, closes the $4 billion Rendell budget deficit. Moving forward, the final 2011-12 state budget should be used as a new paradigm to right-size state government away from the failed tax, spend and borrowing polices of the past that have led in the opposite direction of economic recovery, job creation and future prosperity. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns relating to state government issues, please do not hesitate to stop by or contact my district offices. My staff and I are here to work for you. Serving the 56th District,
Legislation I Like
The following is a list of legislative proposals I have either voted for or have cosponsored.
As a member of the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee, Representative Dunbar participated in the second of a series of joint statewide hearings with the Pennsylvania Senate to receive testimony and collect public input on congressional redistricting in Cranberry Township, Butler County.
House Bill 10 promotes mass transit competition in Allegheny County by transferring regulation of private companies and other regional transit systems to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). Once approved by the PUC, these transit agencies can operate within Southwestern Pennsylvania without having to go through the additional costs and time delay of waiting for additional permission from the Port Authority. This legislation passed the House by a margin of 116 to 81.
Modeled after Indianas photo identification law, which was upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008, the PennsylvaniaVoter Identification Protection Act (House Bill 934) would amend the state election code to require voters to present valid photo ID before voting. House Bill 934 passed the House by a margin of 108 to 88.
1. Do you support or oppose a tax and/or impact fee on Marcellus Shale drilling? 2. Do you support or oppose expanding school choice in Pennsylvania through vouchers? 3. Do you support or oppose the privatization of Pennsylvanias state-owned liquor stores? 4. Do you support or oppose a state Constitutional amendment to protect marriage between one man and one woman? 5. Do you support or oppose eliminating unemployment, welfare and all other non-medical emergency public benefits for illegal aliens? 6. Do you support or oppose the elimination of school property taxes?
House Bill 574 would hold abortion facilities accountable to the same high standards as other health care facilities to make sure patients who go to these clinics for abortion procedures and other gynecological services are treated by trained personnel in a safe and sanitary manner. This legislation was authored based upon revelations by the January 2011 Philadelphia County Investigating Grand Jury report that brought the murder charges against Dr. Kermit Gosnell, the head of the Womens Medical Society in West Philadelphia. House Bill 574 passed the House by a margin of 148 to 43.
House Bill 726 would create a performance-based budgeting process by requiring each Commonwealth agency to present a strategic plan to the Secretary of the Budget and the General Assembly. Annual funding levels could then be recommended based on goals, objectives, performance and outcomes to hold all state government agencies accountable to Pennsylvania taxpayers.
Performance-Based Budgeting
To reduce the possibility of Pennsylvania jobs being stolen by illegal aliens, House Bill 858 would require all employers and government bodies to enroll in the federal governments free E-Verify program to confirm Social Security numbers of prospective employees.
FOLLO W M E O N
RE F OR M RE P ORT
Dunbar Legislation to End Pay-to-Play Government Contracting Awaits Senate Consideration
In early February, my first piece of reform legislation (House Bill 107) to end the practice of pay-to-play politics in the state contracting procurement process unanimously cleared the Pennsylvania House and is now awaiting consideration in the state Senate. This legislation is a direct answer to eight years of allegations concerning back-door, pay-to-play politics from Pennsylvania taxpayers and job creators who have legitimately questioned the integrity regarding the slew of multi-million dollar, no-bid state contracts entered into by the Rendell administration. Strictly prohibiting any individual who has been employed by a company offering a competitively sealed bid from participating in the evaluation of such proposals, House Bill 107 is specifically aimed at making the entire state contracting process more accountable, saving taxpayer dollars and ensuring the activities of the executive branch are absolutely transparent.
Dunbar Measure to Allow Online Township Property Auctions Wins Unanimous House Approval
My second piece of reform legislation to amend Pennsylvanias county code to allow for the sale of township personal property and surplus farms products through electronic online auctions also unanimously advanced from the House to the Senate on June 24. House Bill 1644 is commonsense legislation to allow our local townships to be just as competitive and cost efficient as any other business or non-profit organization that currently has the ability to participate in or conduct an online auction.
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Representative Dunbar swore in the newest members of the North Huntingdon AARP Chapter 3221.
Representative Dunbar paid tribute to Americas fallen military heroes during the Irwin Memorial Day Parade.
Representative Dunbar and his district office staff look forward to meeting you and gathering your input at one of these upcoming Town Hall meetings. These interactive forums provide a unique opportunity for you to share your suggestions, ask questions and offer solutions on how to address your most important concerns both at home and in Harrisburg.
Contact Information
HARRISBURG OFFICE: PO Box 202056 / Harrisburg, PA 17120-2056 / Phone: (717) 260-6132 PENN TOWNSHIP OFFICE: 2090 Harrison Avenue / Pine Center, Suite 4, Lower Level / Jeannette, PA 15644 Phone: (724) 744-0305 / Fax: (724) 744-0380 NORTH HUNTINGDON OFFICE: 12591 Route 30 (across from Spitz Auto) / North Huntingdon, PA 15642 Phone: (724) 863-1585 / Fax: (724) 863-1587 EMAIL: gdunbar@pahousegop.com