State+Rep.+George+Dunbar

= TEACH met with State Rep. George Dunbar (R-Irwin) twice in as many days: on Thursday, 5/19/11, at his Town Hall meeting in Jeannette and on Friday, 5/20/11 at 4 p.m. at his North Huntingdon Office. The latter meeting had been on-again-off-again for a week. =

= At his Town Hall meeting in Jeannette he said, =

= = = "I'm supporting this (amended) budget. That may not make everyone happy, but that's where my constituents are." =

= = = However, at least half the residents of his constituency at the Town Hall expressed concern over Republicans more than $1 billion cuts to education. His response: =

= = = "We will pass this budget on Tuesday (5/24/11)!" || || || =

= At Friday's private meeting, we had hoped to change his mind or at least make him realize that if he votes for this budget, he is not voting with his constituents. He was more congenial at this meeting but just as adamant that he will support the Republicans budget no matter what. =

= "This has to be a unanimous vote," he said referring to his own party. However, he admitted that he would have no problem if the over $1 billion were returned to education. Even though his vote alone would not turn the tide, he refused to oppose it. Though he would not characterize it this way, Dunbar is supporting the measure for political reasons. He's a Republican and Republicans must support this budget - regardless of his own opinions, he must stay in lockstep with his party. =

= = = We sincerely hope he reconsiders before he destroys his short political career on Tuesday. =

= = = Under the proposed Republican budget, Jeannette City Schools will suffer the highest cuts in Westmoreland County: $915 per student in federal funding! This school is in Dunbar's district! If that doesn't bother him, we can only hope the voters let him know it bothers them. However, no one from Jeannette showed up at his town hall even though it was held in Jeannette! Moreover, Dunbar lost Jeannette to his Democratic predecessor, Jim Casorio, during the last election. Perhaps he isn't banking on many votes from this economically distressed town. Will Norwin, Penn and Penn-Township allow this to stand since their districts are losing less in federal money but will still have to dip into their fund balances to pay the bills? = = =

= = = If you live in North Huntington, Irwin, North Irwin, Jeannette, Penn or Penn-Township (or if you just want to pay him a visit), please contact me. =

= Or better yet, contact HIM. Is he right? Do the people in his constituency care about over $1 billion in education cuts? If so, you need to call or visit him and let him know a vote for the Republican budget will lose him your vote in the next election. =

=Contact Dunbar =

= Other important facts about Dunbar: = = = =1) He (and State Sen. Kim Ward) oppose Senate Bill 1 (school vouchers) because it's too expensive.= = = =2) He opposes No Child Left Behind and standardized testing because it is an unfunded mandate.=

=3) He is against a tax on marcellus shale.=

=4) He is in favor (at least partially) of the mandate relief/taxpayer protection package. More on this legislation=

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