Greetings, all!
The Clean Slate Act (S.1553D – Myrie / A.6399C – Cruz) has a powerful and diverse array of support throughout the state, including from both Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, as well as from New York’s major unions, business leaders like JP Morgan Chase, faith leaders, and local governments in Westchester, Buffalo and Albany.
Clean Slate is potentially on the agenda for the first 6 or 7 weeks of the legislative session.
We need to make a big splash to ensure the legislature gets it done. Come demand an end to perpetual punishment and fight for the 2.3 million New Yorkers who continue to face barriers to jobs, housing, and education. We’ll be descending on Albany to call for the passage of Clean Slate, rally in the Capitol, and meet with lawmakers.
SAVE THE DATE for our 2023 #CleanSlateNY Advocacy Days.
- January 17
- February 21
- March 14
Please sign on as a supporter of Clean Slate here! If you’re able to also write a memo of support for the bill, that would be really helpful. Template memo of support here and you can add your memo to this folder. Thank you! (In case it’s helpful, attached is a packet of memos of support from last year.)
For more info, here’s the campaign website. Also, find attached the following:
- CSNY One-pager
- Coalition Organizational Supporters
Why is Clean Slate necessary?
2.3 million New Yorkers have a conviction record and face barriers to employment, housing, education, and other life essentials that enable individuals to thrive in their communities. And because of racism in our criminal legal system, these civil consequences disproportionately impact Black and brown New Yorkers and deepen already-existing racial inequalities in civic life. As recent data shows, 80% of individuals in New York City with conviction records are Black or Latinx, which mirrors statewide trends. The Clean Slate Act will allow individuals to better support their families and contribute to the broader economy. Research shows that a year after getting a record cleared, people are 11 percent more likely to have a job and are earning wages that are more than 20 percent higher than beforehand. Nationally, the Center for Economic Policy Research estimates that shutting workers with records out of the labor market costs as much as $87 billion in lost GDP annually.
Who supports Clean Slate?
- UNIONS: 1199 SIEU, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), District Council 37, Mason Tenders District Council, Communication Workers of America (CWA)
- FAITH GROUPS: Bend the Arc, Riverside Church, Congregation Beth Elohim
- LAW ENFORCEMENT: Fair and Just Prosecution, Law Enforcement Action Partnership
- BUSINESS: JP Morgan Chase & Co., Verizon, NYS Business Council, Microsoft
- ANTI-POVERTY ORGANIZATIONS: Community Service Society
- COMMUNITY GROUPS: Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), Rise Up Kingston, WESPAC Foundation, Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition, Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson, the New Pride Agenda, Westchester for Change
- SURVIVOR ADVOCATES: New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA), Children’s Defense Fund
- REENTRY ORGANIZATIONS: Fortune Society, Exodus, Center for Community Alternatives, Hour Children
- LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS: The Legal Aid Society, Bronx Defenders, Legal Action Center
What does the polling say?
In addition to this powerful and diverse coalition, polling from GSG shows that an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers support the Clean Slate Act (S.1553/A.6399).
- By a 26-point margin, registered voters in New York State say they support the Clean Slate Act.
- Support rises further as voters better understand the Clean Slate bill. When voters hear more about the specific requirements for eligibility under the Clean Slate Act, 66% support the proposed legislation.
- When voters learn that Clean Slate would allow New Yorkers to obtain employment, find housing, provide for their families, and contribute more to their communities, support rises to 71%.
- Overwhelmingly, voters see the importance of the Clean Slate Act: nine in ten voters (91%) feel it is important to “give those with criminal records a fair chance to get a job, provide for their families, and become productive members of society.”
