Senator Elder Vogel Jr.
Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. has represented the citizens of the 47th Senatorial District, which includes parts of Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties, since 2009.
He is majority chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Vogel is also a member of the Banking and Insurance, Environmental Resources and Energy and Transportation committees.
Sen. Vogel secured enactment of legislation designed to expand telemedicine in Pennsylvania to reduce costs and improve the level of care, especially for those in areas underserved by “bricks and mortar” medical facilities.
Additionally, he sponsored a law that expanded access to sexual assault nurse examiners across the state and ensure quality care for victims of sexual assault.
As a fierce advocate for Pennsylvania farmers, Sen. Vogel led the effort to enact legislation to support current farmers and ensure our agricultural heritage is handed down to future generations.
Other measures enacted include:
- Eliminating the statutory requirements for costly “Summer Gas” fuel in seven southwestern Pennsylvania counties.
- Extending the life of the First Industries Program, an initiative that creates and retains jobs in tourism and agriculture.
- Eliminating the ability of the Department of Agriculture to penalize nonprofit community groups such as volunteer fire companies, churches and school booster clubs for selling non-hazardous, home-baked food at fundraisers.
He has also supported efforts to protect and bolster Pennsylvania’s horse racing industry and provide needed updates to the state Race Horse Industry Reform Act.
Sen. Vogel introduced measures to alleviate the burden on motorists by exempting light passenger vehicles 10 years old or newer and alternative fuel vehicles from vehicle emissions inspections as well as eliminating outdated gasoline requirements making gasoline cheaper for western Pennsylvania motorists.
He serves on the Board of Directors for the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership and is a member of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and the Butler County Chamber of Commerce; the National Rifle Association; the Beaver-Lawrence Farm Bureau; the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau; and the Big Knob Antique Tractor and Equipment Association.
Sen. Vogel has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, the Future Farmers of America Honorary Degree, the Distinguished Service Award by Penn AG Industries and named a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business for his work in the legislature. He has also received the PA Health Care Association Better Life Award, PA HIMSS Chapters Legislative Award, PA Housing Alliance Outstanding Legislator Award, and PA Rural Health Legislator of the Year Award.
Prior to coming to the Senate, Sen. Vogel was active in his community serving as president of the Beaver-Lawrence Farm Bureau, and up until his election served as a New Sewickley Township Supervisor.
Sen. Vogel and his wife Sue continue to operate a family farm in New Sewickley Township which was established in 1873.