Adjust Text Size

printable version

Senator Elder Vogel Jr.

Senator Elder Vogel Jr. is beginning his second term in the PA Senate. He represents the citizens of the 47th Senatorial District, which includes portions of Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence Counties.  Senator Vogel is Chairman of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, and is a member of the Aging and Youth, Appropriations, Environmental Resources & Energy and Urban Affairs & Housing Committees.

Over the years, Senator Vogel has introduced measures that have been signed into law. Among them:

• Criminalizing the possession or sales of concentrated bath salts and synthetic marijuana.
• Extending the life of the First Industries Program, an initiative that focuses on saving and creating jobs in the Tourism and Agriculture sectors.
• Eliminating the ability of the Department of Agriculture to cite non-profit community groups such as volunteer fire companies, churches, and school booster clubs for selling non-hazardous home-baked food at fundraisers.

In addition, Senator Vogel has authored legislation to reduce the size and the costs of the General Assembly.  Under this proposal, the Legislature would be reduced from 50 to 30 senatorial districts and from 203 to 121 representative districts.  The result would be a 40 percent reduction in taxpayer funds. This legislation would save the citizens of the Commonwealth approximately $117.5 million dollars.

Senator Vogel's efforts to promote economic development and job creation also included his sponsorship of Senate Bill 1563, a bill providing a tax credit for a petrochemical plant in Beaver County which became law through the 2012 Tax Code revisions.

He has also introduced measures to alleviate the burden on motorists by exempting light passenger vehicles ten years old or newer and alternative fuel vehicles from vehicle emissions inspections and eliminating outdated gasoline requirements making gasoline cheaper for western Pennsylvania motorists.

Senator Vogel serves on the Advisory Board for Penn State University – Beaver Campus, on the Board of Directors for the Cooperative Extension of Beaver County, the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership and the Pennsylvania Beef Council; and is a member of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association, the Beaver-Lawrence Farm Bureau, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the Pennsylvania Holstein Association, and the Big Knob Antique Tractor and Equipment Association.

He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, the Future Farmers of America Honorary Degree and named a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business for his work in the legislature.

Senator Vogel operates the family farm in New Sewickley Township which was established in the late 1800s.  For many years, Senator Vogel served as president of the Beaver-Lawrence Farm Bureau, and until his election served as a New Sewickley Township Supervisor.