Sen. Rob Sampson’s Cautionary Tale about ‘Clean Slate’ ultimately results in a patched together ‘Fix’ from Senate Democrats.

HARTFORD – Senator Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott) issued the following statement in response to the Senate Democrats’ stark and unexpected policy reversal on the caucus’s progressive “Clean Slate” legislation, which passed the Senate last week along strict party lines for consideration by the House of Representatives:

“The ‘Clean Slate’ bill was never limited to expunging minor drug offenses, as it was originally marketed. If that were actually the case I would have been happy to support it. I knew this was going to be a problem and this past week I watched the Democrats scramble to rectify a disastrous and careless policy change for which they were warned. I took considerable efforts to offer a series of amendments to the originally discussed ‘Clean Slate’ bill last week, so my democratic counterparts could sincerely reflect on the incredible lengths this policy would go to expunge an offender’s record.

“Even though my own deterrents did not result in a change in course during the debate, ultimately the Senate Democrats decided to reconsider their actions at the insistence of the House. I appreciate their limited attempt to mitigate the damage that S.B. 1019 would have caused. The so-called ‘Fix’ bill passed last night is a significant improvement, but it is not where it ultimately needs to be.

“The ‘fix’ bill only added some of the heinous crimes to the list of those which will not be eligible for erasure, however it does not address the significant loophole it creates by allowing known violent criminals to skirt deportation laws.”