Representative Dunbar Fall 2011 Newsletter

8/4/2019 Representative Dunbar Fall 2011 Newsletter

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I had absolutely no problem voting for this scally responsiblestate budget that contains no new taxes, provides unprecedented statefunding for education and, most importantly, closes the $4 billionRendell budget decit.

Moving forward, the nal 2011-12 state budget should be usedas a new paradigm to right-size state government away from thefailed tax, spend and borrowing polices of the past that have led inthe opposite direction of economic recovery, job creation and futureprosperity.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns relating tostate government issues, please do not hesitate to stop by or contactmy district ofces. My staff and I are here to work for you.

Serving the 56th District,

Spring 2011

Dunbar Votes for Fiscally Responsible State Budget to

Draw Historic Line Against Excessive Government Spending

Visit me on the Web at REPDUNBAR.COM

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HARRISBURG, PA

PERMIT NO. 432

Representative Dunbar answered questions regarding the 2011-12state budget during his rst-ever Town Hall Meeting held at the

Jeannette Council Chambers.

Fall 2011

Dear Friends:

For just the third time in nearly 40 years, Pennsylvaniataxpayers nally have a balanced, on-time state budgetthat cuts $1.17 billion (4.1 percent) in excessivegovernment spending over last years budget.

Signed into law on June 30 and containing no taxincreases and no new borrowing, this years $27.1 billionstate budget also includes:

Historic Investment in Public Education: The$5.35 billion basic education subsidy representsthe single largest investment of state tax dollarsfor public education in state history. Total PreK-12

and higher education funding is $10 billion.

Welfare Reform: $404 million in HouseRepublican-initiated spending reductions to thegovernors originally proposed Department of Welfare(DPW) budget. DPW will receive $10.5 billion underthe new General Fund budget.

Restoration of the Capital Stock and FranchiseTax phase-out to provide Pennsylvanias job creatorswith approximately $70 million in needed tax relief.

Elimination or consolidationof nearly 100

wasteful, non-essential or duplicative line itemsand government programs.

Absolutely zero-funding for so-called WAMs orwalking around money previously made available tothe governor, the Legislature and politically connectedspecial interests.

Last and certainly not least, Pennsylvania taxpayers

now have the authority to approve or reject mostproposed school property tax increases throughvoter referendum.


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FOLLOW ME ON

Legislation I Like

As a member of the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee,Representative Dunbar participated in the second of a series of jointstatewide hearings with the Pennsylvania Senate to receive testimony andcollect public input on congressional redistricting in Cranberry Township,Butler County.

Make Your Voice Heard atRepDunbar.com

Over the course of the next few months, there are manymonumental decisions impacting the future of our Commonwealththat need to be made.

To make sure your viewpoint is properly represented bothat home and in Harrisburg, I invite you to visit my website atRepDunbar.com and answer the following questions frommy Fall 2011 Legislative Survey.

1. Do you support or oppose a taxand/or impact fee on Marcellus Shaledrilling?

2. Do you support or oppose expanding

school choice in Pennsylvaniathrough vouchers?

3. Do you support or oppose theprivatization of Pennsylvaniasstate-owned liquor stores?

4. Do you support or oppose a stateConstitutional amendment to protectmarriage between one man and one

woman?

5. Do you support or oppose eliminatingunemployment, welfare and all othernon-medical emergency public

benetsforillegalaliens?

6. Do you support or oppose theelimination of school property taxes?

The following is a list of legislative proposals I

have either voted for or have cosponsored.

Ending Mass Transit MonopolyHouse Bill 10 promotes mass transit competition

in Allegheny County by transferring regulation of privatecompanies and other regional transit systems to thePennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Once approved by the PUC, these transit agenciescan operate within Southwestern Pennsylvania withouthaving to go through the additional costs and time delayof waiting for additional permission from the PortAuthority. This legislation passed the House by a

margin of 116 to 81.

Combatting Voter Fraud

Modeled after Indianas photo identication law,which was upheld as constitutional by the U.S. SupremeCourt in 2008, the Pennsylvania Voter IdenticationProtection Act (House Bill 934) would amend thestate election code to require voters to present validphoto ID before voting. House Bill 934 passed theHouse by a margin of 108 to 88.

Protecting the Right to Life

House Bill 574 would hold abortion facilitiesaccountable to the same high standards as other healthcare facilities to make sure patients who go to theseclinics for abortion procedures and other gynecologicalservices are treated by trained personnel in a safe andsanitary manner.

This legislation was authored based upon revelationsby the January 2011 Philadelphia County Investigating

Grand Jury report that brought the murder chargesagainst Dr. Kermit Gosnell, the head of the WomensMedical Society in West Philadelphia. House Bill 574passed the House by a margin of 148 to 43.

Performance-Based Budgeting

House Bill 726 would create a performance-basedbudgeting process by requiring each Commonwealthagency to present a strategic plan to the Secretary of theBudget and the General Assembly. Annual funding levelscould then be recommended based on goals, objectives,

performance and outcomes to hold all state governmentagencies accountable to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

National Security Begins at Home

To reduce the possibility of Pennsylvania jobs beingstolen by illegal aliens, House Bill 858 would requireall employers and government bodies to enroll in thefederal governments free E-Verify program to conrmSocial Security numbers of prospective employees.


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LINKS ARE AVAILABLE ATRepDunbar.com

Around the 56th Legislative District

REFORM REPORT

Representative Dunbar swore in the newest members of the NorthHuntingdon AARP Chapter 3221.

Dunbar Legislation to EndPay-to-Play Government

Contracting Awaits SenateConsideration

In early February, my rst piece of reform legislation (HouseBill 107) to end the practice ofpay-to-play politics in the statecontracting procurement process unanimously cleared thePennsylvania House and is now awaiting consideration in thestate Senate.

This legislation is a direct answer to eight years of allegationsconcerning back-door, pay-to-play politics from Pennsylvaniataxpayers and job creators who have legitimately questioned theintegrity 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 bya company offering a competitively sealed bid from participatingin the evaluation of such proposals, House Bill 107 is specicallyaimed at making the entire state contracting process moreaccountable, saving taxpayer dollars and ensuring the activitiesof the executive branch are absolutely transparent.

Dunbar Measure to AllowOnline Township Property Auctions

Wins Unanimous House ApprovalMy second piece of reform legislation to amend Pennsylvanias

county code to allow for the sale oftownship personal propertyand surplus farms products through electronic online auctionsalso unanimously advanced from the House to the Senate on June24.

House Bill 1644 is commonsense legislation to allow our localtownships to be just as competitive and cost efcient as any otherbusiness or non-prot organization that currently has the ability toparticipate in or conduct an online auction.

For the latest legislative updates,visit RepDunbar.com

orFacebook.com/RepDunbar

My Facebook Page Keeps You Connected 24/7

As your State Representative, I strive to keep you informed

about how I am representing you and our district in Harrisburg.

By using resources such as Facebook, I am able to share newsand information virtually as it happens. For example, I can postlegislative updates from the House oor, district event photos,videos and much more.

These posts, which are timely and unltered, allow me to keepyou informed, in many cases, as news and events are unfolding.

Signing up for Facebook is free and easy. Simply log in and

follow this link to get started:

Facebook.com/RepDunbar

Representative Dunbar paid tribute to Americas fallen military heroesduring the Irwin Memorial Day Parade.


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Contact Information

Visit me on the Web at REPDUNBAR.COM orFACEBOOK.COM/REPDUNBAR

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 15644Phone: (724) 744-0305 / Fax: (724) 744-0380

NORTH HUNTINGDON OFFICE: 12591 Route 30 (across from Spitz Auto) / North Huntingdon, PA 15642Phone: (724) 863-1585 / Fax: (724) 863-1587

EMAIL: [email protected]

Representative Dunbar enjoyed serving lunch to severaldedicated Aspinwalll veterans at the Jeannette AmericanLegion.

SAVE THE DATES!

Christmas Open Houses

Join Representative Dunbar and his staff for someholiday cheer and learn more about the wide varietyof services offered through his district ofces.Light refreshments will be served.

PennTownshipOfceOpenHouse

Thursday, Dec. 15

NOON to 2 p.m.

NorthHuntingdonOfceOpenHouse

Friday, Dec. 16

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Town Hall Meetings

Representative Dunbar and his district ofce

staff look forward to meeting you and gatheringyour input at one of these upcoming Town Hallmeetings.

These interactive forums provide a uniqueopportunity for you to share your suggestions, askquestions and offer solutions on how to addressyour most important concerns both at home and inHarrisburg.

Penn Township Town Hall Meeting

Thursday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

Penn Township Municipal BuildingCommissioners Hall

North Huntingdon Town Hall Meeting

Thursday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m.

Norwin School Board Chambers

Childrens Safety Expo

Saturday, Sept. 24

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nicassio Fields Club306 Raymaley Road, Harrison City

A wide variety of state agencies will be on handwith giveaways and valuable information for bothchildren and parents, including: bike safety;household poison and drug safety information;plus much more.

Documents

Representative Dunbar Fall 2011 Newsletter