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senator vogel

July 9, 2021

$201,600 Green Light-Go Grant Awarded to New Castle

New Castle will receive a $201,600 state grant to improve traffic safety under Pennsylvania’s “Green Light-Go” program, according to Senator Elder Vogel. The city was awarded the grant to modernize the Butler/Taylor traffic signal. New Castle was among 50 municipalities statewide sharing more than $15.6 million in the current round of Green Light-Go funding. The program provides funding to install light-emitting diode (LED) technology, perform regional operations such as retiming, develop special event plans and monitor traffic signals, as well as upgrade traffic signals to the latest technologies.

May 14, 2021

Ellwood City School District Receives $7,481 State Grant

The Ellwood City Area School District was awarded a $7,481 state grant by the Department of Agriculture, according to Senator Elder Vogel. The school district will use the Ag & Youth Program funding for the Garden at Perry Project. The Pennsylvania Ag & Youth Grant Program provides direct and matching grants to help fund eligible projects, programs and equipment purchases conducted or made by organizations composed mainly of youth and organized to promote development in agriculture, community leadership, vocational training, and peer fellowship. “It’s good to see the state take an active role in promoting agricultural studies and activities in…

April 28, 2021

Vogel Bill Would Improve Work Zone Safety for Workers, Motorists

Even as Pennsylvania recognizes National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 26-30, Senator Elder Vogel (R-47) is introducing legislation intended to provide workers with a safe environment and prevent accidents. “Pennsylvania’s road work is often a topic of discussion. Between tolls, bridges and future projects, we spend a lot of time talking about our infrastructure, but not enough time focusing on the safety of the workers,” said Senator Vogel. “In connection with National Work Zone Awareness Week, I am introducing Senate Bill 614 to enhance penalties for offenses in active work zones that do not result in an accident. By…

February 26, 2021

Senator Vogel to Host March 9 Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccines

Senator Elder Vogel will discuss the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan and answer questions regarding the vaccine during a virtual town hall meeting set for 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam and Norm Mitry, President of Heritage Valley Health System, will be special guests during the conversation to answer questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Community residents can register to participate in the virtual town hall by visiting www.senatoreldervogel.com/access-live. The virtual town hall format allows community residents to participate in the discussion without the need to travel throughout the region. Participants can ask questions or…

February 3, 2021

Senator Vogel Raises Concerns About Governor Wolf’s Tax & Spend Budget

Senator Elder Vogel today raised serious concerns about the Governor’s proposal to raise income taxes, increase state spending and slash Pennsylvania’s support for agricultural programs. The Governor today (February 3) unveiled his proposed $40.2 billion General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22, which includes a $3.1 billion (8.2 percent) increase in state spending, a substantial Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate hike, imposition of Marcellus Shale extraction tax, and elimination of funding for vital agricultural programs and services. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees the budget review process in the Senate, and Chairman of the Senate Agriculture…

January 27, 2021

Senate Approves $912 Million COVID-19 Relief Package

The Senate is poised to approve a comprehensive $912 million relief package to help restaurants, schools, employers, and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Senator Elder Vogel, who supported the bill in the Senate and on Tuesday when it came before the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. Senate Bill 109 amends the state Fiscal Code to allocate $569.8 million for Rental and Utility Assistance, $197 million for education programs, and $145 million to support Pennsylvania’s struggling hospitality industry as it copes with the devastation created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s mandated closings and restrictions. The bill…

January 14, 2021

Senator Vogel Announces Railroad Grant; Reappointed Chair of Agriculture

New Castle Industrial RR Receives $262,500 State Grant New Castle Industrial Railroad, Inc., was today (January 13) awarded a $262,500 state grant to construct a new 3,200-foot siding to expand its main line track capacity accommodating increased interchange traffic with CSX and NS railroads, according to Senator Elder Vogel. “The efficient movement of goods is imperative for businesses to be successful,” Senator Vogel said. “This funding will help New Castle Industrial Railroad meet the needs of the industry and the local marketplace, which in turn should further expand family sustaining job opportunities in our area.” Formed in 1992, the New…

January 6, 2021

Senator Vogel Sworn-in to Serve in 2021-22 Legislative Session

State Senator Elder Vogel was sworn into office today (January 5) during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol to represent the people of the 47th Senatorial District during the 2021-22 Legislative Session. “We will face many changes during this Session, and many of those issues are a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic” Senator Vogel said. “The pandemic and the mitigation efforts have had a devastating impact on our economy, locally and statewide. This is especially true among Pennsylvania’s farming families. The closure of restaurants and schools has rocked those families. Crops have spoiled and fresh…

December 30, 2020

Local Projects Receive State Grants Totaling $6 Million

Projects in the 47th Senatorial District were recently awarded state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants totaling $6 million according to Senator Elder Vogel. Stefanik Properties LLC, was awarded $2 million for the proposed development of the Stafanik Industrial Park on an 18-acre site in Center Township, Beaver County. The project includes the proposed construction of two buildings and the development of infrastructure to support the site. The Western Central Pennsylvania Electrician Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee was awarded $1 million for the construction of a proposed state-of-the-art 20,000 square foot IBEW 712 Apprenticeship Training Center in Neshannock Township, Lawrence…

August 18, 2020

Local Water/Sewer Projects Receive $3 Million in State Funding

Several major infrastructure improvement projects in the 47th Senatorial District were awarded a total of $3,040,918 in state funding by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) today (August 17), according to Senator Elder Vogel. “These grants represent a significant investment by the state in the development and rehabilitation of water and sewer systems serving communities across my Senate district,” Senator Vogel said. “These are essential projects that will upgrade these systems, expand service and improve the quality of life in those communities. These grants will help defray the costs of the projects and reduce the burden that otherwise would have fallen…