California lawmakers have passed groundbreaking legislation aimed at addressing historical racism and its impact on the Black community in the state.
But lawmakers did not go as far as to approve reparations payments for California’s Black residents.
The big picture: The legislation aims to rectify disparities in housing, education and health that have disproportionately affected Black people.
- The bills do not provide direct payments to African Americans but focus on providing restitution by returning land or compensation to families whose property was unjustly seized by the government.
- Additionally, a formal apology for discriminatory laws and practices that have harmed Black people has been approved as part of the legislation.
Go deeper: Two bills crucial to the efforts, which would have established a fund and an agency to implement the measures, were not included in the approved legislation.
- Assemblymember Lori Wilson, chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, stated that the bills were pulled as they require additional refinement.
State of play: Governor Gavin Newsom has not yet made a decision on the passed bills but signed a $297.9 billion budget in June with up to $12 million earmarked for reparations legislation.
- The budget, however, did not specify how the funds would be utilized, and the administration has indicated opposition to some of the proposals. Newsom will need to make a decision on the bills by September 30.