Legislation that resurrects mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug and violent crimes is being considered at the state capitol. The proposals are currently before the House Judiciary Committee. Mandatory minimum sentences were first introduced in the 80's and 90's to combat a crime wave when crack cocaine was at its height. But critics then and now argue they restrict judges' discretion and increase prison populations and costs.

The current bills, introduced by Republican Representative Todd Stephens of Montgomery County, would enforce mandatory sentencing for specific drug crimes and violent crimes and crimes committed against the elderly and young children. Stephens touted the bills as key weapons in fighting the opioid crisis, telling The Morning Call: "We are investing a lot of money in [this] opioid epidemic. Part of that equation has to be cutting off the supply."

Opponents, like Democratic Allegheny County Representative Jake Wheatly predict this could fuel a prison crisis, saying the bills could result in "an epidemic of people going to jail."

Representative Stephens and Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan appear on Thursday's Smart Talk to discuss the merits of reinstating mandatory minimum sentencing provisions. Pennsylvania Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel and Kevin Ring, President of Families against Mandatory Minimums talk about their objections to mandatory minimum laws.

Pennsylvania set a record low for the number of traffic deaths last year. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation released 2016 statistics this week that indicate 1,188 fatalities were recorded on Pennsylvania roads last year - the least since records began being kept in 1928..

"Our biggest priority is to keep the public safe through innovation, roadway improvements, and educational outreach," Governor Wolf said. "As fatality numbers continue to trend downward, we still need to change driver behavior, keeping in mind that each person killed in a crash is a member of someone's family."

PennDOT has been promoting traffic safety with their Strategic Highway Safety Plan, investment in safety improvement programs and new methods of recording and studying crash data. Rich Kirkpatrick, PennDOT's press secretary will join Smart Talk to discuss these programs and how they are facilitating safer driving.