Last November [2014], Pennsylvanians voted to return divided government to Harrisburg.

Republicans made strong gains in both the state House and Senate, while Democrat Tom Wolf was elected governor.

Some are concerned this could be a recipe for gridlock.

While that certainly is a possibility, there is nothing written in stone that says it has to turn out that way. The environment will be challenging, yes, but I prefer to see these challenges as opportunities.

Though you might not know it from media reports, the vast majority of legislation passed by the General Assembly enjoys broad bipartisan support.

This includes major legislation like what I authored to stabilize our state's unemployment compensation system, as well as another bill that would create new private-public partnerships to help students gain an advantage while preparing for the careers of tomorrow.

Divided government means nothing terribly controversial – liberal or conservative – is likely to be enacted.

It also means lawmakers from both sides of the aisle must focus on the core issues most important to residents of the commonwealth.

These issues include working to make Pennsylvania a more attractive place for job creators to locate and expand, strengthening our state's education system, helping our most vulnerable citizens to lead productive and healthy lives and continuing to reform government to protect taxpayers.

An issue of critical importance that actually touches on all of these broad categories is pension reform.

In the House, I have seen positive movement on this issue in recent months. In fact, many people on both sides of the aisle now recognize a genuine pension crisis exists and threatens the financial stability of the commonwealth.

There is broad agreement we must meet our obligations to current pension system members. However, there is also a realization rapidly increased pension costs are encroaching upon funding for other critical state programs.

There was vigorous debate last session on this topic, and that has actually worked to move us closer to meaningful reform.

I am hopeful meaningful reforms – likely a package of bills to address this problem from different angles – can be achieved this legislative session.

Don't get me wrong – I'm not so naïve as to think there won't be bumps on the way. But with a very difficult fiscal picture taking shape, no options can be dismissed directly out of hand. All voices will be heard.

The task will be to find innovative ways we all can agree on to move our state forward. This can be done, but it will involve exercising a great deal of patience and restraint.

The new governor and legislature owe it to the voters who sent them here to work with one another. We don't have the luxury of waiting four years to address the major issues facing Pennsylvania. If necessity is indeed the mother of invention, now is the time for problem-solvers to step forward with new solutions.

I am optimistic we will be able to do just that.

I'd like to hear from you. What issues related to state government are most important to you? You may contact me at my district office by calling 610-965-9933 or through my website, RepMackenzie.com.