Andrew Gounardes Voted for the Clean Slate Bill
The Clean Slate Bill was voted on in the NYS Senate this week. (See news)
Did you know that Senator Andrew Gounardes voted for the Clean Slate Bill? Gounardes had a lot of time to share his vote, but didn’t discuss the bill on any social media platform. (See the bill)
The bill aimed to seal certain criminal records of people with felonies and misdemeanors – with some conditions and some exceptions. Sex offenses are not covered under this, so that is good.
The goal is for people to have a second chance so they can apply for housing, employment, jobs and some licenses that do background checks. The NY Senators took the bill too far and left loopholes which can cause innocent people to be hurt.
There are some situation in which people deserve a second chance, but there are some situations that can be created that would harmful for innocent people. Like bail reform, this will be another disaster for Brooklyn.
Vinnie Gentile didn’t use social media much, but when there was a controversial vote, he always explained his position. Andrew Gounardes thinks that his vote is a private vote with his friends in Albany. His decision not to share the vote means he has stopped representing this community. Gounardes was also silent when gerrymandered Brooklyn.
NYS Senator, George Borello brought up a problem with Clean Slate that legislatures don’t want to respond to. People convicted of animal cruelty, animal fighting and animal hoarding would also have their records sealed.
Andrew Gounardes should have stepped up and offered help with the bill and his experience with this topic. In Albany, it seems like Gounardes just goes along with the other Democrats.
Gounardes should have shared the story of the puppy mill in Bay Ridge. (See here) When this situation existed on Bergan Place, the residents couldn’t get help from Brannan, Gounardes or the police. They went to the news because to get help for the dogs. The guy moved out because he knew all eyes were on him. Months later, he was in the news for doing it again and he was arrested and charged with several crimes. (See here)
In several years, that mans record will be sealed. And someone else will rent to him. If he does the same thing, they will be stuck (and maybe physically hurt). I wrote to the senator who made the bill to ask him about the Clean Slate Bill and he didn’t say it wasn’t true.
Michael Tannousis shared that Carl Heastie didn’t allow the NY Assembly to vote on this bill, but that he was against it. Play the interview video:
My interview regarding the “Clean Slate” bill which would erase felony and misdemeanor criminal convictions. Although the bill did not come to the floor for a vote, the bill continues to be pushed forward by some colleagues. pic.twitter.com/rSvwzD8u5l
— Mike Tannousis (@MikeTannousis) June 5, 2022
Tannousis was much more open with this vote than Gounardes.
..
.
Hugs,
marlene
Topics: Bay Ridge | No Comments »