Area lawmakers took the oath of office Tuesday in Harrisburg.

Here is a look at some of the legislators representing residents in the Times News region and their goals for the term.

• Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, took the oath of office Tuesday to begin his latest term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

“The coming legislative session is sure to present challenges and opportunities, as we navigate through divided control between Democrats and Republicans in the House. My priority is to always do my best to represent the shared values of the residents of Carbon County, and I humbly thank the voters for their support and confidence in me,” Heffley said.

• Rep. Jack Rader, R-176, is beginning his fifth, two-year term serving the people of the 176th Legislative District, which includes part of Monroe County.

“I continue my pledge to best represent the values of Monroe County in Harrisburg as we work to address the significant challenges that lie ahead for the Commonwealth,” Rader said.

His priorities during the 2023-24 legislative session include enacting policies that stimulate job growth, ease the burden of school property taxes and reduce the number of drug overdose deaths.

Rader maintains two full-time district offices to assist residents: 395 Route 940, Suite 104 in Blakeslee and 2785 Route 115, Suite 103, Effort.

The 176th Legislative District was redrawn during last year’s redistricting process. It includes Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Polk, Ross, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships in Monroe County.

• Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-123, representing Schuylkilll County, took the oath of office Tuesday to begin his second term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

“I love where I come from – and it is a true honor to represent and serve my home of Schuylkill County for another term,” Twardzik said. “My Capitol and district office professionals effectively served constituents these past two tumultuous years. Their experience and caring nature play an important role in my ability to meet the needs of our district.”

For the 2023-24 Legislative Session, Twardzik plans to continue focusing on creating jobs, assisting small business owners, health care advocacy, fighting community blight, improving the education system and protecting students.

Most notably from last session, Twardzik’s bill to provide more secure health care ID badges was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf. Act 79 of 2022 amends the Health Care Facilities Act requirements regarding photo identification badges in health care facilities. Additionally, his legislation to fix the unfair Unemployment Compensation rate increases placed on small businesses closed during the pandemic shutdowns was also signed into law as Act 156 of 2022.

Twardzik continued his mission to fight blight in Schuylkill County with legislation he introduced that would create the Vacant Property Registration Act, (House Bill 1791). The measure would allow communities to create and maintain a vacant property registration program, which is a blight fighting, smart growth tool used to stabilize and redevelop neighborhoods.

• Newcomer Jamie Barton, representing the 124th District in Schuylkill County, said he will work to stimulate the economy; ignite small business; reduce the cost of energy for families and businesses; improve state infrastructure; invest in school students; ensure election integrity across the Commonwealth; and support community safety through law enforcement in the 2023-24 legislative session.

They join Rep. Zachary Mako, who represents parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties.

• Another newcomer, Sen. Nick Miller was sworn into office to represent parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties in the 14th Senatorial District in the Pennsylvania State Senate. The district was newly created during Pennsylvania’s legislative redistricting process that concluded in early 2022.

“As a fifth generation Allentown resident, I’m proud to step into this leadership role for our region and join the Pennsylvania State Senate,” said Sen. Miller. “Since I was young, my mother, who is also a public servant, instilled in me the importance of giving back to our communities and serving others. I look forward to working with constituents and advocates from across Pennsylvania to better education and local economies in our district.”

Miller will be the youngest member to serve in the Pennsylvania Senate, but he is no stranger to public service and leadership. Prior to joining the Senate, Sen. Miller served on the Allentown School Board.

• Other new state senators include: Jarrett Coleman, representing the 16th Senatorial District, which includes parts of Lehigh and Rosemary Brown, 40th district, which represents Monroe County. They join Sen. Dave Argall, whose territory has been expanded from Schuylkill County to include Carbon County.