The biggest crime deterrent is having a stable job. Employment promotes strong family values, personal responsibility, economic growth and public safety.
Originally published in the Courier Journal.
Crime is not just a police problem; it’s a community problem that requires comprehensive solutions. It’s a common sense perspective that underscores there are no quick fixes to our crime problems in any Kentucky community.
While effective policing is vital, it cannot solve the root causes of crime. We cannot rely solely on the expansion of law enforcement or tough-on-crime punitive measures.
This is the definition of a conservative approach that promotes personal responsibility and accountability, both at the individual and community levels. On the heels of last year’s Safer Kentucky Act and this year’s Kentucky General Assembly, now is the time for Kentucky lawmakers to prioritize public safety and pass legislation that makes our communities safer.
The Clean Slate Act will reduce crime
One piece of legislation stands out as an important effort to help strengthen families, fortify businesses and improve community safety: the Clean Slate Act. This initiative offers a sensible and effective approach to reducing recidivism, enhancing workforce participation and securing brighter futures for thousands of Kentuckians.
At its core, Clean Slate seeks to automate the process of expunging certain low-level, non-violent criminal records after five years of living crime-free. This is a gamechanger for Kentuckians who have paid their dues, completed their sentences and have demonstrated a willingness to contribute something positive to their community. By enabling individuals to clear their records without additional bureaucratic hurdles, the bill provides an immediate pathway to employment and a life away from crime.
Second chance employment will help build up Kentucky’s workforce
Automating the expungement of criminal records, already eligible by law, will not only help individuals secure employment but will also meet Kentucky’s growing workforce demands. I’ve talked with many of Kentucky’s major industries, from farm to factory, horse racing to bourbon and across health care, logistics and aerospace. Most of these leaders not only understand the importance of expanding access to qualified workers, but they’re already doing it.
Many of these industry leaders currently hire qualified Kentuckians looking for “second chance employment.” This longstanding and widespread practice helps them tap into a larger pool of talent, strengthening both the economy and the communities where these businesses operate.
The simple act of checking the box on a job application that asks, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” often leads to automatic rejections. It’s not just a question on a form — it’s a life sentence that keeps individuals from securing stable housing, quality education and full participation in society. In Kentucky, where nearly 300,000 individuals are released from the criminal justice system each year, Clean Slate represents the final step in a much-needed rehabilitation process.
Providing stable jobs helps deter crime
The biggest deterrence against crime is having a stable job. Employment promotes strong family values, preventative programs, living wage jobs and opportunities for former criminals to follow successful pathways away from a life of crime.
These benefits align perfectly with conservative values: personal responsibility, economic growth and public safety.
As we look ahead to the 2025 General Assembly, it is crucial that Kentuckians come together to support the Clean Slate Act, an economic and social investment in Kentucky’s future. Conservatives who voted last year for a safer Kentucky should now unite to ensure that those who have demonstrated their commitment to redemption can fully participate in making our communities safer.
The time to pass Clean Slate is now—because the benefits to our families, businesses and communities are irrefutable.