Several area state lawmakers took the oath of office Tuesday in Harrisburg to begin their 2015 terms.

State Sen. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne/Carbon, will begin serving his second term in office."I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of the 14th Senatorial District," he said. "With the support and love of my family, I look forward to working to put our region and the commonwealth on a clear path to prosperity. As I have demonstrated throughout my career in the state Legislature, I am ready and willing to reach across the aisle and work in a bipartisan manner to ensure that politics does not get in the way of progress."Yudichak, a Plymouth Township resident, was recently appointed to the Senate Democratic leadership team."I am encouraged that the incoming Wolf administration will bring fresh ideas to Harrisburg so that we invest in a quality education for our children; expand energy jobs; continue our commitment to rebuilding our transportation infrastructure; and fund initiatives that keep our communities and families safe," he added.Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, took the oath for a new term as state representative for the 122nd Legislative District. This is Heffley's third term in office, after his election to the House in 2010."I am looking forward to hitting the ground running in the new session, working on the issues which are important across the commonwealth, and especially in Carbon County," Heffley said. "I am eager to work with my returning colleagues and the new House members in accomplishing those goals."In particular, Heffley highlighted continued work on House Resolution 659, which was passed in the last session. That legislation created a task force and advisory board to examine the rise in prescription drug and heroin abuse across the commonwealth. The recommendations of the task force are expected to be presented and considered by the House this year. A new law represents progress in the battle against the epidemic, as first responders and family members are now able to administer naloxone, also known as Narcan, which reverses the effects of a heroin overdose."Families across the state have been devastated by heroin use and opioid drug abuse," Heffley said. "We need to continue the progress made in the last session with the passage of legislation which can make a real difference in this fight." Heffley plans to reintroduce language found in House Bill 1357, which increases penalties for impersonating a law enforcement officer, while outlining the illegal use of sirens and lights by an unauthorized person.Sen. Lisa M. Boscola, D-Lehigh/Northampton, took the oath of office in swearing-in ceremonies at the state Capitol as she begins a new term."I love my constituency and am so proud to have another opportunity to represent them," Boscola said. "I will continue to do my best to represent the people of Lehigh and Northampton counties."With family, friends and supporters on hand, Boscola took the oath and pledged to continue fighting to eliminate property taxes and rebuild Pennsylvania's aging infrastructure.The Northampton lawmaker won both the Democratic and Republican party nominations en route to her victory for another four-year term in the 18th Senate District in November.Boscola, a member of the Senate Democratic leadership team, chairs the policy committee, which helps shape the caucus's legislative agenda. She said her top priorities include cutting property taxes, helping businesses create more jobs, and rebuilding the state's crumbling roads, bridges, utility, water and sewer systems."Our state faces some serious challenges in this new legislative session," Boscola said. "It is more important than ever that we put politics aside and work together to find lasting solutions."Rep. Julie Harhart, R-Lehigh/Northampton, today took the oath of office as state representative for the 183rd Legislative District for the 11th time."I continue to be humbled by the trust placed in me to be the voice of the citizens of the 183rd Legislative District," Harhart said. "As always, I will do my utmost to uphold the values and ideals of those whom I represent. I look forward to getting started on what is sure to be another busy and productive session."Last session, Harhart was successful in having her legislation to fund child advocacy centers signed into law. Thanks to her diligent work on this issue, these centers, which bring together doctors, nurses, prosecutors, social workers and law enforcement in one location, are getting the financial backing they need to be able to continue to meet the needs of abused children across the state.Harhart has also been reappointed to serve as chairman of the Professional Licensure Committee. The committee considers all legislation dealing with the 29 professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions in Pennsylvania. Professionals range from physicians and cosmetologists to real estate agents and funeral directors. It is also charged with reviewing the various regulations put forth by the Pennsylvania Department of State on licensed professionals.Rep. Rosemary M. Brown, R-Monroe/Pike, took the oath of office and was sworn in to serve her third term as state representative for the 189th Legislative District."Today marks the beginning of a new legislative session, and I am extremely honored and humbled to be representing the people of Monroe and Pike counties again," Brown said.Brown's legislative priorities in the 2015-16 session include working toward creating a more fair basic education funding formula, continuing to pass a school property tax relief measure, maintaining an efficient and effective state government, as well as a few specific legislative efforts.Additionally, Brown announced she will serve a second term as a deputy policy chair for the House Majority Policy Committee."I am looking forward to having the opportunity to again serve as a deputy policy chair," Brown said. "As a member of this committee, I have the opportunity to attend hearings and meetings across the state, and focus on some of the most important policy issues facing the commonwealth."During the previous legislative session, Brown focused heavily on promoting the importance of financial literacy, as a member of the policy committee. She hopes to continue her work on that issue, as she believes it is important to educate young people on how to make smart decisions to maintain financial stability.Jack Rader Jr., R-Monroe, the new representative for the 176th Legislative District, was formally sworn into office. Rader is among 22 new Republican members of the House, in a majority which now stands at 119-83, the largest since the 1957-58 session."I am proud to be part of a large group of freshman House members from across the commonwealth," Rader said. "I look forward to working with them, and all my House colleagues to address the issues which are important across the state and in Monroe County."At the time of his election, Rader served for 28 years on the Jackson Township Board of Supervisors in Monroe County, including 20 years as chairman. His business background includes three decades as manager and vice president of Mountain Springs Resort in Reeders. Rader lives in Reeders with his wife, Susan, and their four children."I believe that my experience, both in local government and in business, will be beneficial in my work as a state representative," Rader added. "I'll continue to work on my main priorities, including job growth, the equalization of the commonwealth's funding formula for schools and the elimination of school property taxes."Two Schuylkill County legislators formally began serving in their leadership roles for the 2015-16 legislative session in the General Assembly.Sen. David G. Argall, R-Schuylkill/Berks, and Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-Schuylkill, will serve in leadership roles for the two-year session in their respective chambers, marking the first time a Schuylkill County Senator and Representative will hold leadership roles at the same time in over 100 years.Argall, who became the first senator from the county since the 1860s to serve in a leadership role, will lead the Senate Majority Policy Committee while Goodman will serve a second term as Caucus Administrator for the House Democratic Caucus.Goodman is the first House Democrat from Schuylkill County to hold a leadership position in the caucus since his uncle, James Goodman, served as chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee from 1977 to 1980."I'm honored to serve as Majority Policy Chairman for the new legislative session," Argall said. "I'm looking forward to shedding light on issues important to local residents, working on legislation important to the people of Pennsylvania, as well as having a seat at the table during each Senate leadership meeting.""I'm thankful that my colleagues have again put their trust in me," said Goodman. "I'm looking forward to continuing to carry out my responsibilities as caucus administrator, and continuing to represent the interests of the people of the 123rd Legislative District."