Erie County's state representatives were sworn in this week. What are their priorities?

The newest state representative from Erie County and four veteran House members were sworn in Tuesday at the Capitol in Harrisburg during a ceremony that opened the 2023-24 legislative session.

Court of Common Pleas Judge John McNally administered the oath of office to Jake Banta, of Waterford, who won office for the first time in November's election, as well as four representatives who were re-elected: Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins, Bob Merski and Brad Roae.

Here is what some of the candidates said was on their minds as they started their new terms.

More: Divided Pennsylvania House elects Democrat Mark Rozzi as speaker

Jake Banta, R-4th District

Banta defeated Democrat Chelsea Oliver in October to succeed nine-term Rep. Curt Sonney, who did not seek re-election.

“My passion as a public servant is hard work, and the original intent of our state and federal Constitutions is my guide,” Banta said in a news release after he was sworn in. “As a citizen lawmaker, I am here to roll up my sleeves and put 'We the People' first, so everyone has the same opportunity to prosper and thrive.”

More: By a big margin, Banta wins 4th Dist. seat in state House

“Pennsylvania has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources,” he said. “Yet, our hard-working families are struggling to put food on their table due to unprecedented increases at the gas pump and unaffordable utility costs. In addition to eliminating the overbearing restrictions and regulations that make it essentially impossible to do business or create jobs here, we must effectively maximize energy independence and safely ramp up domestic energy production across the commonwealth to fuel our economy like never before.”

Guest column: Jake Banta: A pledge to oppose agendas, restore sovereignty, reduce taxes

“Whether it's universally requiring voter ID to ensure election integrity or protecting the unborn, setting the tone for what laws are going to be advanced to restore our commonwealth to its rightful place of preeminence is the job of the Legislature. We must immediately seize the opportunity to demonstrate to the people we are ready, willing and able to complete the mission they have sent us here to accomplish.”

More: Banta, fueled by discredited conspiracies, eyes Pa. House 4th District seat

Ryan Bizzarro, D-3rd District

Bizzarro, of Erie, was elected to a sixth term, and he starts his second session as House Democratic Policy chair.

Guest column: Bizzarro proud to champion Erie region in Harrisburg, deliver results for all

Questions over the debate about which party holds the House majority and who would serve as speaker were on Bizzarro's mind as he was sworn in.

“This November, Pennsylvania made historic decisions at the ballot box,” Bizzarro said in a news release. “This transition of power has been unlike any other, and ― quite frankly ― I have been disappointed in what has played out over the last couple months. I believe a more dignified and bipartisan solution was possible, but before today all we witnessed was sad attempts by Harrisburg Republicans to remain in power at whatever cost. I’m hopeful (Tuesday's) bipartisan action marked an end to some of those political games.”

Rep. Mark Rozzi, a sixth-term official from Berks County, was approved as speaker by a 115-85 vote that included a handful of Republicans. The Associated Press reported Rozzi said he would be independent, pledging to not to caucus with either Republicans or Democrats and to staff his office with members of both parties.

“I’m ready to work for all Pennsylvanians,” Bizzarro said, “and I know Speaker Rozzi ― we came into the House together ― and I know he has pledged to do the same.”

Midterm election: Incumbent Dems Harkins, Merski, Bizzarro hold seats in state House of Representatives

Pat Harkins, D-1st District

Harkins, of Erie, starts his ninth term in Harrisburg. He said better protections for workers will be among his priorities this session.

Guest column: Harkins touts record of advocacy, problem-solving and delivering results for Erie

“The new session brings a new chance to accomplish legislative priorities, and for me, protecting workers’ rights and safety is high on that list,” Harkins said in a statement. “In the year ahead, I will be reintroducing legislation that would require the state to provide public workers with the same safety protections already available to workers in private companies. Public employees in many other states already have those protections, and Pennsylvania workers are no less deserving.

“I will also be introducing legislation to punish dishonest employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors to avoid paying them benefits and to protect employees victimized by workplace bullying.

“Fixing our broken mental health system is another top priority, and I will be introducing a bill to start reforming the system, whose failings leave our prisons to take up the slack, force police officers to act as case workers and put lives at risk.”

Harkins will serve as secretary of the Northwest Democratic Delegation.

2022 campaign: Dem incumbent Harkins, Libertarian Thomas square off for 1st District state House seat

Bob Merski, D-2nd District

Merski, of Erie, starts his third term and his second year as chairman of the Northwest Democratic Delegation.

More: As Northwest Delegation chairman, Merski seeks to amplify voice of Erie County in Harrisburg

“I’m excited about representing our district in the year ahead and optimistic about what we can accomplish in the new term,” Merski said in a statement. “I’m also looking forward to another year leading the Northwest Democratic Delegation as we work to build on our region’s unique strengths, including our expanding industrial base in the tech and advanced manufacturing fields.

“Beyond expanding access to funding, we’ll be working to ensure these industries have the long-term supports ― including infrastructure and a well-trained workforce ― they need to keep growing.

“I will also be working to help local small businesses; to improve benefits for retirees by making it easier for counties to issue cost-of-living increases; and to make sure our schools have the resources they need for our students and their families."

Guest column: I boosted school funding, cut business taxes and reduced seniors' costs

Brad Roae, R-6th District

Roae, of East Mead Township, Crawford County, was elected to a ninth term in November.

The reapportioned 6th District includes Conneaut, Elk Creek and Springfield townships and Albion and Cranesville boroughs in Erie County. In Crawford County the district includes the city of Meadville; Beaver, Conneaut, East Fairfield, East Fallowfield, East Mead, Fairfield, Greenwood, Hayfield, North Shenango, Pine, Randolph, Sadsbury, South Shenango, Spring, Summerhill, Summit, Union, Vernon, Wayne, West Fallowfield, West Mead and West Shenango townships; and Cochranton, Conneaut Lake, Conneautville, Linesville and Springboro boroughs.

More: Reapportionment Commission's maps bring change to Erie County state House, Senate districts

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What Erie County PA's state representatives said as they were sworn in