“Thank you for voting” said state Reps. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, representing the 84th District, and Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, representing the 83rd District.

“We did a big splurge before work” said Hamm, whose district is larger than the state of Rhode Island and covers communities in Lycoming and Sullivan counties.

“It’s good to see solid numbers” Hamm said, adding that ultimately the election was about “make your voice heard and do it at the ballot box. »

As he toured the region, Hamm said voters’ concerns mirrored his own. These include restoring Pennsylvania’s energy independence and harnessing abundant fuel sources. “under our feet” like natural gas, develop more transmission lines to move the gas to markets, which include users in Europe and the Middle Atlantic and New England regions.

Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, right, shares a laugh with James Dinmore, left, at the Hepburn Township Fire Department polling location Tuesday. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

He said he listened to concerns about new green energy, soaring inflation including rising food prices at grocery stores, the decision to take medication or pay bills and higher costs consumer goods throughout the Commonwealth and the United States.

“Pennsylvanians need to keep more of their hard-earned money and give less to the government. » Hamm said.

One way to do that is to look at income tax cuts that have been effective in North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and Texas, he said. Second, as he stated at a recent hearing in Old Lycoming Township, the state faces at least $3 billion in fraudulent welfare system spending.

“We need to make sure those who are eligible and need it get the help and financial assistance that they have” he said. However, he added, those who receive social assistance “cheaters” must be held responsible. This was claimed by Josh Shapiro when he was attorney general, before he became governor, Hamm said, adding that Shapiro admitted there was just as much welfare fraud.

Other goals that Hamm considered priorities included cleaning up streams, especially before the next flood, as many streams still contain exposed gravel bars and debris from the Aug. 9 and remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.

Another priority for Hamm is ensuring volunteer fire companies and emergency medical services receive more state fire and EMS funding. Currently, there are places where a call can take 45 minutes or more, when in a cardiac emergency, medical emergency or fire call, seconds count.

“I want to make things easier and provide more resources to the fire and emergency services,” he said. The $31.5 million for state fire and EMS grants should be increased. “I would be fine with $60 to $100 million” he said, adding that it’s increasingly difficult for fire companies to maintain staffing levels and generate revenue when all they have is gun raffles and chicken events. barbecue.

“They are exhausted” he said, adding that providing them with more resources and funding so they can have adequate staffing and respond more quickly are critical areas where he will continue to fight for these companies and EMS services.

In South Williamsport, Flick said he can’t stress enough the importance of every vote counting in elections. He noted that Republicans currently hold a razor-thin majority in the House, 102 to 101. Whoever controls the majority controls the agenda, he said.

To illustrate the importance of getting out to vote, Flick noted how State Rep. Michael Cabell, who serves parts of Luzerne County, lost a primary election by four votes and State Rep. Torren Ecker, of Adams and Cumberland counties, won an election by a single vote.

He also emphasized how he believes in compromise and negotiation as ways to achieve goals and move legislation forward to become law in Harrisburg.

He said he had managed to make progress in this area thanks to “Meet me at the Middle Caucus.”

It is a caucus he co-chairs with others, made up of Republicans and Democrats and designed to foster greater cooperation across parties, show examples of diversity, reduce polarization and find ways to work together to pass common-sense legislation that benefits the people of Pennsylvania.

Many districts, including the 83rd, are considered purple districts because their makeup is not strongly Republican or Democratic, he said.

Pennsylvanians want to see more bipartisanship, Flick said, adding that they want lawmakers to work more together on issues that affect them every day, such as rising energy costs, inflation, support for mental health, teen suicide prevention, controlling the opioid crisis, and finding more options for those seeking housing in Lycoming and Union counties.

Overall, showing appreciation to voters and sharing the importance of the electoral and democratic process and a peaceful transition of power as well as improving the quality of life of their voters was on the minds of the representatives of the ‘State.