US Election 2024

California reparations bills killed as Newsom sought to avoid appearing ‘too progressive’

Reparations activists in California are hopeful that their snubbed bills, which were shelved in September, will be re-introduced by a legislator during the next special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom in January. The California Reparations Task Force Chair, Kamilah Moore, stated in an interview with Fox News Digital that one of the primary demands from the community and reparations leaders is for a legislator to reintroduce the failed bills, SB 1403 and SB 1331.

These bills aimed to establish the California American Freedman’s Affairs Agency to oversee reparations programs and create a dedicated fund for implementing reparations policies. Despite the backing of the bills by members of the California Legislative Black Caucus, they were ultimately snubbed and not moved forward to be signed by Newsom. Moore expressed her belief that Newsom’s decision was likely politically motivated, as the bills gained momentum quickly and Newsom may have been hesitant to appear too progressive during an election year.

The bills were seen as crucial for the reparations task force to address the legacy of racist policies that have led to disparities for Black people in various areas such as housing, education, and health. While the Democrat-led California legislature passed other bills aimed at remedying past racial injustices, none of them provided direct payments to African Americans.

Following the shelving of the bills, protests erupted at the California State Capitol, with protesters demanding that the bills receive time for consideration. State Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli criticized Democrats for not bringing the bills up for a vote, despite promises to provide direct cash reparations to those harmed by slavery. Essayli called for a debate and recorded vote on the issue, highlighting his belief that cash payments based on race may not be constitutionally justifiable.

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In response to the snubbed bills, two new reparations bills were introduced during the December special session. AB 7 proposes giving admissions preference to applicants who are descendants of American slavery at California’s higher education institutions, while AB 57 seeks to allocate a portion of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of slaves.

While Newsom has remained silent on most reparations bills introduced this year, he did approve a nearly $300 billion budget in June that included up to $12 million for reparations. The budget did not specify which proposals the funds would support, and his administration has expressed opposition to some measures. However, Newsom did sign some reparations-related bills, including a formal apology for California’s historical role in the perpetuation of slavery and its enduring legacy.

As activists and legislators continue to push for reparations in California, the hope remains that the failed bills will be re-introduced and considered during the upcoming special session. The conversation around reparations and addressing the legacy of racism and injustice continues to be a pressing issue in the state.

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