Issues

Taxes

Property Taxes
Elder believes that the property taxes are too high and he vows to work with the State Senate to pass comprehensive property tax reform. He believes that some of the money for property taxes can come from the general fund, but we must also look at cutting government spending and keeping the costs of government down.

Elder has looked at the model that Michigan that implemented in the 90s. Michigan eliminated all property taxes for school financing. The legislature then had to figure out where they could make up the difference in funding. Elder firmly believes that any plan the legislature comes up with to fund schools must be approved by a referendum by the people.

Inheritance Tax
Pennsylvania is only 1 of 9 states that still taxes you when you die.  Elder believes this tax must be eliminated. 

Family Values

The values of western Pennsylvanians have always been about hard work and determination. The 47th District deserves a senator who will stand up for these values in Harrisburg.

Elder Vogel is no stranger to these values and he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. He is the manager of his family’s 450 acre dairy farm in New Sewickley Township where his parents instilled these values in him at an early age.

As Senator, Elder will vote to protect the lives of unborn children, the second amendment as well as the sanctity of marriage.

Government Reform

Abraham Lincoln stated that government should be a “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” not the other way around.  Unfortunately, state government has taken a wrong turn somewhere and abandoned this belief.

Elder Vogel believes we need to reform the state government and make it the people’s government once again, not one run by big businesses.  That is why he believes we need more transparency in state government.

When Elder is elected he will corral government spending by conducting an in-depth review of the excessive expenses of the legislature, and monitor the even greater drain of taxpayer resources from the governor's executive budget. He also believes that we can reduce the size of the legislature by 83 members, which will save Pennsylvanians millions each year.

Economy

As manager of a small family businesses, Elder knows the troubles plaguing other small businesses and job creators in the 47th district.  With the current state of the economy and gas prices at an all time high and continuing to rise, we cannot expect Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties to stay competitive with family sustaining jobs unless we lower the tax burdens on job creators.  With the 47th district being so close to the Ohio boarder we must make sure to stay competitive with Ohio and encourage job creators to locate in the 47th district. 

In order to do so we must reduce the current tax burdens on job creators.  Currently, Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax (CNI) is 9.99%, the second highest in the nation.  Elder proposes to lower the Corporate Net Income tax to a more competitive rate which will encourage job creators to look at Pennsylvania for their business.