State representatives and senators are elected to research and propose laws and amendments to laws.

They also help constituents with matters involving government agencies, including helping people apply for money to help heat their homes, and senior citizens seeking rent or property tax rebates.Your state lawmaker can help you obtain birth or death certificates or food stamps, apply to open a business or obtain a driver's license or enroll a child in the state's health insurance program for low-income families.Here's a list of state legislators covering your area.Carbon CountySen. John T. Yudichak, Democrat: Banks, Lausanne, Lehigh, Kidder, Mahoning and Packer townships; Beaver Meadows, East Side, Jim Thorpe, Lansford, Lehighton, Nesquehoning, Summit Hill, Weatherly and Weissport boroughsMail: Senate Box 203014, Harrisburg, PA 17120-3014; Phone: 717-787-7105; Fax: 717-783-4141Jim Thorpe: Mail: 1201 North St., Jim Thorpe, PA 18229; Phone: 570-325-3274; Fax: 570-325-3780Web:

http://www.senatoryudichak.comSen. David G. Argall, Republican: East Penn, Franklin, Towamensing, Lower Towamensing and Penn Forest townships; Bowmanstown, Palmerton and Parryville boroughsMail: Senate Box 203029, Harrisburg, PA 17120-3029; Phone: 717-787-2637; Fax: 717-783-8657Mahanoy City: Mail: One West Centre St., P.O. Box 150, Mahanoy City, PA 17948; Phone: 570-773-0891; Fax: 570-773-1675Lehigh Valley: 125 South Walnut St. (1st floor), Slatington, PA 18080; 610-760-9805; Fax 610-821-6109Email:

dargall@pasen.govWeb:

http://senatorargall.comRep. Doyle Heffley, Republican: Covers all of the countyMail: 423 Irvis Office Building, P.O. Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122; Phone: 717-260-6139; Fax: 717-782-2885Lehighton: 110 North Third St., 2nd Floor, Lehighton, PA 18235; Phone: 610-377-6363; Fax: 610-377-5675Lansford: American Legion Building, 3 West Ridge St., Lansford, PA 18232Albrightsville: 2681 State Rte 903, Unit 3, P.O. Box 1008, Albrightsville, PA 18210; Phone: 570-722-8700; Fax: 570-722-8702Schuylkill CountySen. David G. Argall: Covers all of the countyRep. Neal P. Goodman, Democrat: Blythe, Branch, Butler, Cass, Delano, East Norwegian, Foster, Mahanoy, New Castle, Norwegian, Reilly, Ryan and West Mahanoy townships; Ashland, Frackville, Gilberton, Girardville, Gordon, Mahanoy City, Middleport, Minersville, New Philadelphia, Palo Alto, Port Carbon, Shenandoah and St. Clair boroughs; city of PottsvilleMail: 512-E Main Capitol Building, P.O. Box 202123, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2123; Phone: 717-787-2798; Fax: 717-772-9948Mahanoy City: 39 West Centre St., P.O. Box 66, Mahanoy City, PA 17948; Phone: 570-773-3075; Fax: 570-773-3105Rep. Jerry Knowles, Republican: East Brunswick, West Brunswick, Union, East Union, Kline, North Union, Rush, Schuylkill, Walker and West Penn townships; Coaldale, Deer Lake, McAdoo, New Ringgold, Orwigsburg, Port Clinton, Ringtown and Tamaqua boroughsMail: 155A East Wing, P.O. Box 202124, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2124; Phone: 717-787-9029; Fax: 717-783-3899Tamaqua: 237 West Broad St., Tamaqua, PA 18252; Phone: 570-668-1240; Fax: 570-952-3374