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May 29, 2020

Senate Approves Budget/Comprehensive COVID-19 Funding Package

Facing an uncertain economic future and working to address the devastating impact of COVID-19, the Senate today (May 28) set a course for recovery by approving a $25.8 billion interim budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21 as well as a plan to direct $2.6 billion in federal CARES funding to organizations that were most severely impacted by the virus, including $40 million to help farmers and address food insecurity issues, according to Senator Elder Vogel, (R-47). The measures now go to the Governor for enactment into law. House Bill 2387is an interim spending plan that provides five months of funding for…

April 15, 2020

Senate Approves Measures to Improve COVID-19 Mitigation Process

The Senate approved two bills today that would create a better process for determining which businesses can operate during the COVID-19 pandemic and give county leaders a stronger say in determining the best mitigation measures for their citizens, according to Senator Elder Vogel. Governor Wolf ordered the closure of all businesses not deemed “life-sustaining” on March 16. Although a haphazard waiver system was eventually created for businesses that wished to remain open, that process was riddled with inconsistencies and lacked any sense of transparency or accountability to the public, Senator Vogel said. Senate Bill 613, which now goes to the…

April 14, 2020

VIDEO: Senator Vogel Offers Online Unemployment Compensation Guide

Recognizing that many people have seen their daily lives and their jobs impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, Senator Elder Vogel launched a special page on his website (www.senatoreldervogel.com) dedicated to providing his constituents with information regarding unemployment compensation. The new page, www.senatoreldervogel.com/unemployment-questions/, provides contact information and helpful links for people who have questions about how to file claims and about other steps in the process. It details eligibility requirements, addresses issues of interest to small business owners and incudes a section dedicated to answering the questions about the unemployment compensation process posed by callers to Senator Vogel’s office. “Pennsylvania has…

February 5, 2020

Senator Vogel Responds to Governor’s Budget Proposal

The Senate will carefully study the $36.1 billion state General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21 unveiled by Governor Tom Wolf on Tuesday (February 4) before a joint session of the General Assembly, according to Senator Elder Vogel (R-47). “Obviously, it’s more of the same old, same old,” said Senator Vogel. “We hear that he doesn’t want to raise taxes, yet there is over $1 billion in new spending in the budget and that money has to come from somewhere. We don’t know where that is coming from yet. He is taking a lot of money out of other programs….

January 29, 2020

Senate Approves Two Bills Supporting PA Fire & EMS Companies

Recognizing the major issues facing Pennsylvania’s firefighters, the Senate on Tuesday approved two bills based on recommendations made by a bi-partisan commission established to study emergency services across the Commonwealth, according to Senator Elder Vogel. “The Senate Resolution 6 Commission built upon the foundation set by the previous Senate Resolution 60 Commission to develop a new set of recommendations that provides the next steps toward providing needed assistance to Pennsylvania’s first responders,” said Senator Vogel. “Using that background information as a guide, these bills help address some of the issues facing Pennsylvania’s fire departments. Senate Bill 908 would create a…

January 24, 2020

CFA Awards $33,963 Grant to Help Lawrence County Dairy Farm

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) awarded a $33,963 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grant to help a Lawrence County dairy farm, according to Senator Elder Vogel. Leslie Farm in Little Beaver Township was awarded the grant to assist with the purchase and installation of new equipment to produce yogurt from grass-fed cows. Leslie Farm plans to construct a value-added dairy facility that will require renovations to its existing barn and milk house. Leslie Farm anticipates this project will allow it to process 90,000 pounds of milk annually into 32- and 6-ounce yogurt containers. The initial plan calls for plain yogurt in…

November 1, 2019

Senate Approves Vogel Bill Promoting Telemedicine in Pennsylvania

On October 30, the Senate approved legislation introduced by Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) aimed at promoting telemedicine in Pennsylvania as a way to overcome barriers to quality patient care created by distance and reduce the costs of those services. Senate Bill 857 specifically defines telemedicine as “the delivery of health care services provided through telecommunications technology to a patient by a healthcare practitioner who is at a different location.” It also establishes guidelines regarding who can provide telemedicine services, and provides clarity regarding insurance company reimbursement for those services. “Telemedicine can help patients get the care they need. It allows for…

March 13, 2019

Senator Vogel Proposes Farmer “Legacy” Tax Credit

With the “graying” of Pennsylvania’s farm families, Senator Elder Vogel is preparing to introduce legislation that will encourage existing farmers and landowners to work with beginning farmers to help them get started. “My legislation 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 provides a…

August 22, 2018

Bernstine Applauds Borough’s Changes to Ellwood City Electric

ELLWOOD CITY – Following months of negotiations and legislative intervention, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today praised Ellwood City Borough Council for adopting changes to Ellwood City Electric, which he said will ensure consumer protection, price stability and increased transparency for residents. The actions came after Bernstine and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47) issued a letter to council members last month urging immediate implementation of several consumer-based changes. Bernstine’s legislation requiring the borough to adopt changes passed the House in April and was awaiting consideration by the Senate. The changes adopted or being considered by council include providing advance notice of rate…

August 16, 2018

Council Votes on Issue Regarding Ellwood City Electric

Ellwood City Council Votes 4-2 at Monday’s agenda meeting to find out more information on Rep. Aaron Bernstine’s suggested changes to the Ellwood City Electrical Department. The council will not be voting on the seven issues suggested by Bernstine at next Monday’s council meeting. Council President, Judith Dici and Interim Borough Manager, Joe Cioffi felt it would be better to wait to vote on some of the issues until there could be further negotiation with Bernstine and Senator, Elder Vogel about them. However, two council members Robert Brough and Lisa Guerrera challenged the timeliness of the Borough’s actions and asked the…