Good Monday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

It’s been a pretty good year for criminal justice reform in Pennsylvania. State lawmakers passed, and Gov. Tom Wolf signed, so-called ‘clean slate' legislation giving nonviolent offenders a second chance at employment. Wolf even took part in a Washington Post panel last week touting some of the state’s successes.

But the federal government? Not so much.

In fact, there’s a better than even chance that the U.S. Senate could break for the year without acting on an important package of criminal justice reform. And as we’re reminded by a Philadelphia Inquirer op-Ed this morning, Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators, Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Pat Toomey, could play an instrumental role in getting it over the goal line.

Beth Anne Mumford, the state director of the Koch Brothers-funded group, Americans for Prosperity, writes that Casey and Toomey should put their political muscle behind legislation known as the “First Step Act,” that would give returning inmates the tools they need to succeed outside of prison. The bill has the backing of Pennsylvania Corrections Secretary John Wetzel, who’s no slouch on reform front.

“The measure would allow offenders who participate successfully in job training and substance abuse programs, and who aren’t a threat to public safety, to earn credit toward pre-release custody at non-prison facilities such as halfway houses or home confinement. Earned time is just that — earned — and those with credits continue to serve their sentences in alternative settings,” Mumford writes. “Most federal prisoners — and there are more than 10,000 housed in Pennsylvania — could earn up to 54 days of credit per year only if they ‘display exemplary compliance with institutional disciplinary regulations.’ The most serious and violent offenses bar inmates from participating. And the final call rests with the people in charge of the prisons."

Mumford goes on to note that “Reams of research coupled with real-world examples prove that these kinds of educational programs, vocational training, and mental health and substance abuse treatment can significantly reduce recidivism rates.”

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Toomey is among a growing Republican cadre of critics of the legislation, whose ranks also include GOP Sens. John Kennedy of Louisiana, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ben Sasse and Deb Fischer of Nebraska, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Ted Cruz of Texas and Richard Shelby of Alabama.

Writing for The Inquirer, Mumford argues that wide array of law enforcement groups have united behind the bill, which passed the U.S. House by a substantial margin.

She further notes that the Fraternal Order of Police, which is not known for being soft on crime, said the legislation ‘will make our streets and neighborhoods safer," and that groups “including the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Due Process Institute have called it “a significant step to advance justice.”

Sounds like a discussion worth having.

The rest of the day’s news starts now.

Pennsylvania scrapped lame-duck legislative sessions a while ago. The current insanity in Wisconsin is a reminder of why they’re such a bad idea. Stateline.org has more details.

More people voted this year for Democrats for the state House than Republicans - but the GOP hung onto its majority. WITF-FM explains how that happened.

Dauphin County DA Fran Chardo has actually had to file a lawsuit against convicted state Rep. Vanessa Lowery-Brown, D-Philadelphia, to force her to give up her House seat. Only in Pennsylvania.

Two lobbying groups have been ordered to pay fines for failing to register with the Dept. of State, PennLive’s Matt Miller reports.

Newly elected Democratic state Sen. Lindsey Williams, who’s facing questions about her residency, should be allowed to to take her seat, Gov. Tom Wolf says (also via WITF-FM).

Philly DA Glenn Krasner’s office is moving to reverse a controversial plea agreement for a gunman in an AK-47 shooting, BillyPenn reports.

The Incline goes deep on a ‘bee-keeping renaissance’ in Pittsburgh.

Here’s an appropriately seasonal #Harrisburg Instagram of the Day:

The Morning Call has your must-read story of the week: At 22, this man was mayor of a Schuylkill County community. Two years later, he died from a heroin overdose.

Politico explains why Capitol Hill Democrats don’t trust President Trump to keep his word on any shutdown deal.

Republican Mark Harris says he’s open to a new election in North Carolina’s scandal-plagued 9th Congressional District, Roll Call reports. How magnanimous of him.

WolfWatch.

Gov. Tom Wolf swings by the Dauphin County State Health Center in Kline Plaza in Harrisburg today at 1:15 p.m. for a summit on opioid abuse. They’ll be distributing Naloxone during the event.

Heavy Rotation.

Some songs you never get tired of hearing. This is definitely one of them.

Monday’s Gratuitous Hockey Link.

Making us very happy indeed, sentimental faves Winnipeg absolutely demolished Philadelphia on Sunday. The Jets grounded the Flyers, 7-1.

And now you’re up to date.