Sanchez Plans to Reintroduce Bill to Expunge Criminal Records.

Democrat Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez isn't giving up. Earlier today, Sanchez told us next January, during the short session he'll reintroduce legislation that would expunge some criminal records.

On Saturday, Governor Bill Richardson vetoed the measure at the urging of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.

In this audio he explains it's important to allow people who have been wrongly arrested to have their records erased after a period of time.



Employers argued they need to know the backgrounds of their employees and prospective hires.

Governor Vetoes Criminal Records Bill.

Last week we blogged about the ABQ Chamber of Commerce's push to urge Governor Bill Richardson to veto a bill that would have allowed certain people convicted of a crime to ask the courts to erase that conviction from the public record.

Today he did.

"While legislators deserve credit for attempting to appease critics of the bill, I'm still not comfortable with the final result," said Governor Richardson after vetoing Senate Bill 649.

"I was especially troubled with the fact that many employers would have no way of knowing the full scope of the criminal background of potential employees," Governor Richardson said. "A company, for example, could unknowingly hire a driver with a history of DWI charges, but no convictions because of plea bargains or dismissals.


"We have made great strides in protecting public safety by increasing penalties for DWI and domestic violence. This bill would be a step backward for those efforts."



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