It’s no secret that Austin, Texas is a prosperous town largely because of our brand as a progressive, inclusive, innovative place. But we’re also facing serious challenges: Austin is one of the most economically segregated regions in America, which means a significant portion of Austinites are not sharing in our city’s prosperity. Almost a year ago, Council Member Greg Casar sponsored a proposal for Fair Chance Hiring in Austin to extend economic opportunities and expand civil rights for tens of thousands of people in our city. Fair Chance Hiring laws are anti-discriminatory at heart and require employers to consider a job candidate’s qualifications first, without the stigma of a conviction history, before running a background check at the end of the hiring process. Stable employment helps prevent recidivism and re-incarceration, so fair chance hiring policies also improve public safety for our community. Continue reading →