News Press

Statement from Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City, on City Council’s Fair Chance Act

June 10, 2015

“This bill is an example of ideology trumping practicality. There are many positions where employers must consider the background and criminal record of an applicant before offering a job. That is presumably why this legislation gives wide exemptions to city government. It should do the same for private sector employers. New York State already has a strong anti-discrimination law on the books to protect ex-offenders from unfair discrimination in the job market. A bill like this discourages employers and ends up resulting in fewer, not more, job opportunities for the people the City Council wants to help.”