Jan. 21, 2015

HARRISBURG – Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) has been appointed to serve on four state House committees for the 2015-16 legislation session.

This includes a new assignment to the high-profile House Appropriations Committee which is primarily tasked with drafting an annual balanced budget proposal that allocates operating funds to public education and most other state agencies and departments. The committee is also charged with reviewing all legislation to analyze the fiscal impact any legislative proposal may have on Commonwealth funds.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I now have a front-row seat for all state budget hearings and negotiations,” said Dunbar, a certified public accountant, businessman and former Penn Township commissioner. “I look forward to using my private sector accounting experience in order to craft a 2015-16 state budget that moves Pennsylvania far beyond the antiquated and old school ‘Same As Last Year (SALY)’ approach or simply taking last year’s spending numbers and increasing them by a certain percentage for each department or agency. Measuring each and every line item from a performance-based budgetary standpoint is not only a proven measure for delivering a fiscally responsible and balanced state budget, but it will also result in greater transparency and accountability for the state taxpayers who are footing the bill.”

In addition, Dunbar will return to serve as member of the House Finance, Gaming Oversight and State Government committees. He was also again selected to serve as a deputy chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee and as co-chair of the state Legislature’s bipartisan Government Reform Caucus.

Since taking office in 2011, Dunbar has successfully advanced three major pieces of reform legislation into law.
Act 108 of 2011 permits the sale of county property and surplus farm products through electronic online auctions and also allows county commissioners to eliminate the costly position of jury commissioner.

Act 42 of 2014 shields Pennsylvania job creators from being double-taxed by various municipalities, cities and other local governments.

Finally, Act 149 of 2014 strictly prohibits any state employee from evaluating any state contract proposal submitted by a former employer, less than two years following the date of the state employee’s separation with the employer. In addition to limiting undue influence or pay-to-play politics in the state contracting procurement process, Act 149 prohibits any individual or organization engaged in investment activities with Iran from entering into state contracts for goods or services.

For the latest legislative updates, visit RepDunbar.com or Facebook.com/RepDunbar.

Representative George Dunbar
56th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979
RepDunbar.com / Facebook.com/RepDunbar
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