As a family man, public servant and successful entrepreneur, Rep. George Dunbar brings a combination of real-life experience and commitment to integrity to his role as a state lawmaker.
George was sworn in to serve his second term as state representative for the 56th Legislative District in January 2013. During the 2013-14 session, George will serve as a House Republican Deputy Whip, Deputy Policy Committee Chairman and on the following standing committees: Children and Youth, Finance, Gaming Oversight, and State Government.
Legislative Accomplishments
During the 2011-12 legislative session, George was among a select group of only a dozen of 253 state lawmakers to be recognized as a Guardian of Small Business for his perfect small business voting record by the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
“Guardians of Small Business” designations are awarded to legislators who consistently vote favorably on key small business issues at least 75 percent of the time. According to the NFIB, George supported small businesses and job creation 100 percent of the time on such high-priority issues as legal reform and regulatory relief; tax and fiscal policy; and unemployment and workers compensation reforms.
In addition, George joined a select group of freshmen lawmakers to successfully sponsor and advance two pieces of legislation into law. Act 108 to permit the sale of county personal property and surplus farm products through electronic online auctions was signed into law by the governor on Dec. 15, 2011. Act 108 also allows county commissioners to eliminate the costly position of jury commissioner in many of the Commonwealth 67 counties—an estimated savings of $1.4 million annually.
Originally introduced as House Bill 1333, George’s original legislation to exempt state taxpayers from unanticipated income tax reporting penalties imposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue was adopted as part of the 2012-13 state tax code. This measure offers not only consistency, but guarantees immediate protection and relief to taxpayers who fail to make estimated state tax payments on an unexpected one-time increase in taxable income.
Before his election to the House, George served as the controller and chief financial officer at Ryco Inc. Prior to that, he ran his own business – Dunbar Consulting and Accounting – from 2005 to 2007. George earned additional management experience when he served as executive vice president at Wright Industries Inc. until 2005.
George has served his community in a variety of different roles. From serving as a board member with the Penn Trafford Basketball Association to fulfilling his duties as a member of the Penn Area Library Board, the Penn Trafford Area Sewer Authority and as a Penn Township commissioner.
George’s commitment to community is second only to his dedication to family. George and his wife, Sandy, have been blessed with four daughters: Stephanie, Erin, Alexandra and Samantha. The 56th Legislative District covers part of Westmoreland County and includes the City of Jeannette, part of the townships of North Huntington and Penn, and the boroughs of Irwin, North Irwin, and Penn.
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