Pennsylvania State Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, has been serving the constituents of Northampton and Lehigh counties for nearly two months.

Mako, who was sworn in Jan. 3, said he initially decided to run for the open legislative seat due to the current condition of state, national and international politics.

“I was concerned and wanted to give back,” Mako told The Press.

Mako said the top priorities he hopes to address his first term in office include property tax reform, job creation and repairing the state’s crumbling infrastructure, with an emphasis on working with his fellow legislators.

“While it would be impossible to solve all these important issues immediately, I am hoping to work with my colleagues to take a step forward in each of these areas,” he said.

According to Mako, the status of the state’s general fund is the greatest challenge facing the commonwealth.

“As we work to finalize a budget by the end of June, we must restructure state government,” he noted.

Mako reflected on the experience of being sworn in to represent the constituents.

“It was a highlight of my life to take the oath of office as a member of the [Pennsylvania] House of Representatives and represent the 183rd District’s residents,” he said.

Mako has served in the Pennsylvania National Guard since January 2008 as a Chinook helicopter pilot. He was deployed to Afghanistan in December of 2012 for nine months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Mako also was selected last year to serve as an adviser to top Estonia military officials.

He is a graduate of Northampton Area High School, Northampton Community College and Kutztown University.

Mako recently was named to three House standing committees for the 2017-18 legislative session. His committee assignments are aging and older adult services, professional licensure and Veterans Affairs and emergency preparedness.

“With my experience as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, I will be able to provide an important perspective to the Veterans Affairs and emergency preparedness committee,” Mako said. “In addition, as my predecessor (Julie Harhart) was chair of the professional licensure committee, I am eager to continue her work in this area.”

The House aging and older adult services committee is responsible for all programs and services available pursuant to the State Lottery Law, i.e., PACE/PACENET and senior transportation programs (shared-ride and fixed-route transportation sometimes shared with the transportation committee); long-term care (from a resident rights standpoint); office of long-term living issues (assisted living licensure, home and community-based services, etc.); area agencies on aging; department of aging; Pennsylvania Council on Aging; and intra-governmental council on long-term care. Also included in the committee’s oversight and legislative development process are the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program (shared with the finance committee) and matters dealing with elder abuse.

The professional licensure committee maintains jurisdiction over all legislation dealing with the 29 professional and occupational licensing boards located administratively in the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in the Department of State. Professionals range from physicians and cosmetologists to real estate agents and funeral directors. Additionally, the committee is charged with reviewing the various regulations put forward by the Department of State regarding licensed professionals.

The Veterans Affairs and emergency preparedness committee focuses on the needs of Pennsylvanians’ first responders and veteran community, as well as works to keep all commonwealth residents safe. For example, during this session, a key focus will be the recruitment and retention of the state’s emergency responders.

“As an almost lifelong resident of Walnutport, I am humbled and honored to be working on behalf of my friends and neighbors,” Mako said.

The 183rd District includes parts of Whitehall and South Whitehall townships, Washington Township and Slatington Borough in Lehigh County; and parts of Moore Township, Allen and Lehigh townships and Northampton, North Catasauqua and Walnutport boroughs in Northampton County.