Microsoft Corp. on Thursday became the latest company to join a coalition of private-sector firms, labor unions and criminal justice advocates to back a measure that would seal many criminal records in New York.
The company's participation in the Clean Slate Coalition comes as the measure continues to face an uncertain future in the state Legislature after lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul could not reach an agreement on it in the state budget negotiations last month.
"Microsoft is joining the Clean Slate New York Coalition in support of their efforts to enact and implement automatic record clearing at the state level. By implementing this process, the state is removing unnecessary barriers for justice involved people and increasing economic opportunity for the individual, the communities, and the state at large," said Fred Humphries, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of U.S. Government Affairs.
The company employs about 3,100 New Yorkers.
Advocates for the measure are making a final push in the last month of the legislative session, which is scheduled to conclude on June 2.
Supporters of the legislation have said the measure would enable people with criminal records to be able to have access to housing and employment opportunities. But some lawmakers have been uneasy with the measure's scope, and no deal has been struck yet over the last two eyars.
JPMorgan Chase, Verizon, the Business Council of New York, and the Rochester, Brooklyn and Harlem Chambers of Commerce have previously announced their support for the legislation.