Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union that last week Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law the Clean Slate Act, expanding the sealing of certain criminal records. The law will help thousands of formerly incarcerated New Yorkers return to society after a stint in prison. Hochul said, “You only get this if you’ve turned your life around,.... The good news is millions of people have.” Getting a job, renting or buying an apartment or house, and earning financial aid for higher education will all be easier for the formerly incarcerated under the new law. Under the new law anyone who committed misdemeanors, has to wait at least three years after serving their sentence and completing their parole or supervision for the law to seal their records. For certain felony crimes, the wrongdoer has to wait at least eight years after that point. Most Republicans, though, opposed the legislation. State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said in a statement, “There should be no question in the minds of New Yorkers: Albany Democrats will always prioritize criminals over victims and law-abiding citizens.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.