To Boost Hiring, New York Lawmakers Press for ‘Clean Slate’ Bill

Years ago, when Tony Bibbs was looking for landscaping work in Rochester, New York, he put in applications at dozens of small operations, always writing “will discuss in an interview” in response to the question about having a criminal record. Between the ages of 17 and 32, he was, he said, “running in and out of jail” on various charges of robbery and burglary. He was released for the last time in 1991. After being turned away for employment again and again, he passed out landscaper-for-hire flyers at local churches to advertise his services. Bibbs, now 63, has been cobbling ...