Politics

With the “graying” of Pennsylvania’s farm families, Senator Elder Vogel (R-47) is introducing legislation that will encourage existing farmers and landowners to work with beginning farmers to help them get started. “My legislation (Senate Bill 478) provides a personal income tax credit for landowners who lease or sell their land, buildings and equipment to beginning farmers,” said Senator Vogel, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee and operates a family farm in Beaver County that was established in the late 1800s. “The number one concern faced by new farmers is finding affordable farmland. My bill…

Senator Elder Vogel, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, will hold a media availability on Wednesday (March 27) to announce his legislation that is intended to encourage existing farmers and landowners to work with beginning farmers to help them get started. Senator Vogel (R-47) will be joined by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) and Senator Judy Ward (R-28) at the event set for 10 a.m. in the Capitol Media Center in the East Wing of the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg. For every four farmers in Pennsylvania over the age of 65, there is only one…

Apprenticeship pilot program would encourage local partnerships HARRISBURG – In a bipartisan effort to prepare Pennsylvania’s youth for the 21st-century workforce, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has teamed up with Reps. Kate Klunk (R-York) and Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) to introduce legislation which would allow high school students to obtain real-world work experience while still in school. House Bill 796 would establish a pilot grant program which would encourage schools and local businesses to collaborate to provide work-based learning opportunities for high school students. “This innovative pilot program would bring our business leaders and students together to transform our education system…

Jillian Court, Executive Director of Media, for the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce, has accepted a new position with the Lawrence County Conservation District as a Conservation Technician. Jillian has served as a crucial part of not only the Chamber, but as the head of Ellwood City Community Enrichment, Secretary for Ellwood City Revitalization, Treasurer for All Aboard Ellwood, and sits on multiple committees. Jillian has been an absolute blessing for Ellwood City and she will be greatly missed. She plans on continuing to volunteer for Ellwood City Community Enrichment and various Chamber sponsored events. Her last day will…

NEW BEAVER BOROUGH — The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program today announced State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has been chosen as one of 60 scholars nationwide for the program’s fifth annual class. PLS serves as a catalyst for a diverse network of leaders brought together to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson. The fifth class was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were chosen based on their leadership growth potential…

HARRISBURG – In an effort to promote transparency, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today introduced legislation to require full disclosure of contractual terms, known as project labor agreements (PLAs), on construction projects funded by taxpayer dollars. PLAs are comprehensive, pre-hire agreements which, under existing law, include labor terms and conditions for construction projects, often incorporating terms from collective bargaining agreements of unions to be involved in the project. “PLAs often increase the labor costs on a job, so it is problematic when we can’t see the full scope of the project up front,” Bernstine said. “When a contractor is crafting a…

Senator Elder Vogel will serve on five Senate Committees in addition to his chairmanship of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee for the 2019-20 Legislative Session. Senator Vogel will serve as the Vice Chairman of Environmental Resources & Energy Committee and as a member of the Appropriations, Banking & Insurance, Game & Fisheries, and Transportation committees. “My committee assignments cover a wide range of issues that have a direct impact on the lives of the people of western Pennsylvania,” Senator Vogel said. “The Environmental Resources & Energy Committee certainly has a major role in shaping the future of the Commonwealth…