Senator Vogel E-Newsletter

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Dear Friend,

I am pleased to present my electronic newsletter. These e-newsletters enable me to provide information about issues, events and activities in Harrisburg and around the 47th Senatorial District to you in a timely manner while saving postage costs.

If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.senatoreldervogel.com for more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of the page.

Sincerely,

Elder Vogel Jr.

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October 5, 2018

Thank you to everyone who came out to make my Lawrence County Senior Expo a success, I enjoyed talking with all of you. A special thank you to the vendors who provide the useful information to our seniors and make these events so worthwhile!

CarFit

I am happy to once again sponsor CarFit, along with AAA East Central, Medic Rescue, PennDot, AARP and Allegheny County Health Department, to help mature drivers find their safest fit in their vehicles.

The event will have trained professionals complete a 12-point CarFit checklist to help mature drivers adjust mirrors to minimize blind spots, proper seat belt use, properly adjust the head rest and more. The event will be held on Tuesday October 9th from 1p.m to 3p.m at Medic Rescue Ambulance Company 313 Bridge Street, Beaver, 15009.

For more information or to make a reservation please call 412-418-5977.

Veterans Breakfast

I am honored to again be part of planning the Veterans Salute Breakfast at CCBC on Friday November 9th. This breakfast will have a lot of resources for current military members and veterans alike.

The Breakfast is free to all veterans and their first guest, and any guest after that is $5. This year WQED’s Chris Moore will be commentator on a panel of four post 9/11 veterans who are also students at CCBC. They will talk about their experiences and a portion of this will be taped for a documentary “Veterans Coming Home”.

Please try to RSVP by November 2nd by calling 724-480-3561 or email rsvp@ccbc.edu.

School Safety Grants

Several school districts in the 47th Senatorial District were awarded state Safe School Targeted Grants for the training and compensation of school resource officers and school police officers, and to prevent and reduce violent incidents through programs and security equipment.

This funding provides these districts in Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties with financial support to enhance the safety of students in these schools. It is important that we take the appropriate and necessary steps to ensure our youth can feel safe in their classrooms and schools.

Equipment Grants were awarded to Midland Borough School District ($23,520) and South Side Area School District ($23,515) in Beaver County; Seneca Valley School District ($24,990) in Butler County; and Neshannock Township School District ($25,000) and New Castle Area School District ($24,242) in Lawrence County. These grants are intended to pay for security-related equipment including student, staff and visitor identification systems; metal detectors; protective lighting; surveillance equipment; special emergency communications equipment; electronic locksets; deadbolts and theft control devices; and training in the use of the security-related technology.

Beaver Area School District received a $20,000 Program Grant to promote an environment of greater productivity, safety and learning and enhance anti-violence efforts between schools and parents, local governments, law enforcement and community organizations.

School Resource Officer Grants for Fiscal Year 2017-18 of $30,000 each were awarded to Beaver Area School District and Central Valley School District in Beaver County and Laurel School District and Lawrence County Career and Technical.

School Resource Officer Grants for Fiscal Year 2018-19 were awarded to Big Beaver Falls School District ($60,000), Central Valley School District ($60,000), New Sewickley Township School District ($47,664) and Rochester Area School District ($60,000) in Beaver County and New Castle Area School District ($60,000) and Shenango Area School District ($40,788) in Lawrence County. These grants are intended to provide funding for the training and compensation of school resource officers.

Riverside Beaver County School District received a $40,000 School Police Officer Grant. The grant is intended to provide for the training and compensation of school police officers. For more information, please call my office at 724-774-0444.

Special Savings Accounts

The Senate approved legislation to permit eligible Pennsylvanians to open special savings accounts and take state tax deductions for savings toward a down payment and closing costs on a home. This would increase access to responsible home ownership and help boost the economy. Account holders would be permitted to contribute a total of $50,000 over a 10-year period. Annual contributions would be capped at $5,000 for single taxpayers and $10,000 for those filing a joint return.

Home ownership strengthens communities and provides stability for families. A first-time homebuyers saving account will be an important tool in helping people overcome the financial obstacles to home ownership.

It is estimated that this type of savings account program in Pennsylvania could result in an annual increase of up to 4,000 home purchases within the state. The result would be an overall positive impact on Pennsylvania’s economy, spurring additional economic activity, job creation and earnings for households. It’s estimated that the economic impact could range between $7.8 million to $68.8 million.

For more information on Senate bill 1066 please click here to visit the webpage or call my office at 724-774-0444.

I am honored to be named a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Businesses Pennsylvania.

Senior Expo Drug Take Back Box Totals

Thank you to everyone who came to my Beaver County Senior Expo and utilized the Prescription Drug Take Back Box brought by the District Attorney’s Office. At the final count, they collected 22 pounds of unused or unneeded prescription drugs. It is always a good idea to turn in unneeded prescription drugs to keep them from ending up in the wrong hands.

The Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Take-Back Program is focused on alleviating the health and safety concerns from the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs by helping our citizens properly dispose of unused prescription medications. For more information or to find a location please click here.

Veteran Chili Cook-Off

On Friday November 9th Center at the Mall is hosting a Veterans Chili Cook-Off along with Lutheran Senior Life, Franklin Center of Beaver County, and the United States Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Only 250 tickets will be sold and you must pre-purchase tickets. The tickets are free for veterans and $3 for non-veterans. The event will run from 12p.m to 2p.m and will include an honor guard salute, hot dog lunch, chili cook-off, a 50/50 raffle and live band “Dream Machine”.

For tickets please contact Center at the Mall by calling 724-728-1422.

Congratulations to Dorothy Trott on her retirement after 41 years with Challenges, Options in Aging. Thank you for your dedication to our community, I wish you well.

Agriculture Calendar Contest

In an effort to continue to raise awareness about the threat of the Spotted Lanternfly, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) today announced its 2018 youth calendar contest for students across the state in grades 1 through 8.

When an invasive species enters Pennsylvania, we need the help of our communities to eradicate it. This contest will educate students about the threat posed by this invasive insect, help Pennsylvanians better identify it, encourage discussions amongst students and their families, and provide awareness and engagement across the state.

The competition will run through October 31, 2018. Entries will be judged in four divisions: first and second grade; third and fourth grade; fifth and sixth grade; seventh and eighth grade. The top three winning entries per grade will be featured in a calendar, and the grand prize winner will appear on the cover.

The contest is open to all Pennsylvania residents in eligible grades, and entries should include:

  • One fact about Spotted Lanternfly
  • Artwork created by the student
  • 11” x 17” poster, horizontally oriented
  • Original artwork, no copies will be accepted
  • A complete contest submission rule taped to the back of the poster

The grand prize winner will be announced during a recognition ceremony during the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg and his or her school will win a spring assembly featuring prizes, activities, and a special guest.

Contestants can enter by sending their artwork to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Office, Room 210. 2301 N. Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17110. All submissions must be postmarked by October 31, 2018.

The Spotted Lanternfly is an inch-long, black, red, and, white spotted insect native to Southeast Asia and first identified in Pennsylvania in 2014. The invasive insect feeds on agricultural goods produced in the state, such as apples, grapes, hops, and hardwoods.

For more information about Spotted Lanternfly, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly, or extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly.

Walk in Penn’s Woods

On October 7th residents of Pennsylvania will walk in, and celebrate, Penn’s Woods! Rural, urban and suburban woods, state and national forests and parks, municipal watersheds, conserved areas, private lands and industry in the state’s 67 counties will hold open houses and guided woods walks showcasing the multiple values and diverse uses of our state’s priceless forest resources.

Not only do the forest of PA provide a spectacular and valuable regenerating timber resource, but it provides incalculable value as a water resource, pollution filter, carbon store, wildlife habitat and biodiversity reserve, urban refuge, and a priceless source of recreational and aesthetic enjoyment. It is also a resource challenged by invasive plants and diseases, climate change, mismanagement, development pressure and legacy issues.

In 2017, there were 64 Walks in 46 Counties with over 1,000 people walking in the woods. Feedback was so positive offers have already been received for hosting Walks in October. The hope is to reach every county in PA and host over 100 Walks for 2018. Click here for a list of Walks.

Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, Bureau of Alcohol Education’s 2018-19 Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest is an artwork competition focusing on the prevention of underage drinking and healthy alternatives to underage alcohol use. All Pennsylvania students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including home-schooled, parochial and private schools, may submit artwork.

Students wishing to enter should include clear, positive no-use messages and images about avoiding underage drinking and alcohol use. For example, artwork about the benefits of being alcohol-free or alternatives to underage drinking are acceptable. Themes such as prom, homecoming, back-to-school, graduation or seasonal holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) are encouraged.

  • Use any medium, but keep in mind that winning posters must be in a format that can be reproduced
  • Do not submit posters with 3D designs
  • Artwork must be no larger than 11” X 14”. Those exceeding the measurements will be disqualified
  • Consider using another language – and include the English translation on the entry form
  • Pack artwork so that it remains flat during shipping
  • Team entries are not allowed—do not submit posters created by more than one person
  • Artwork that includes any reference/image of tobacco or other drugs will be disqualified
  • Artwork with negative images, like graves, death symbols, prison cells, car crashes, etc., will be disqualified
  • Artwork with copyrighted or trademarked characters such as comic, television or movie characters or using logos or trademarked names of specific products such as brands of liquor or other beverages, or that include any political references, images or messages will be disqualified
  • Artwork posters with inappropriate language or symbols or images which are discriminatory will be disqualified

Qualifying artwork will be judged on message, creativity and artistic ability. Consideration will be given to the student’s grade level. All submissions become the property of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and will not be returned. Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.

Winners will be contacted in early 2019 and will be recognized at a ceremony in Harrisburg in the spring. For more information, please click here to visit the webpage.

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Please contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or to receive help in dealing with a state agency.

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