TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB) – A proposed constitutional amendment that would prevent the state and local governments from paying reparations to descendants of slaves was filed at the state capitol this week.
The proposal would prohibit the state, a county, a municipality, and any other political subdivision from paying compensation in the form of reparations to a person who is a descendant of an enslaved individual who lived in the United States before December 6, 1865.
The possibility of reparations has been discussed in some areas of the country, such as in California, where a task force issued a major report this summer. Senate bill sponsor Blaise Ingoglia says Democrats are using the idea of potential reparations to get Black voter support.
“Race-baiting politicians are using the prospect of reparations to sort of buy votes, in a way to get Black voters to vote for them. I don’t think reparations are the way to do it,” said State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R- Spring Hill.
Democratic State Senator Shevrin Jones says the proposed amendment is an attempt to distract Floridians from more pressing issues facing the state.
“Floridians are struggling to find affordable housing in our state. They are unable to pay their high property insurance premiums. Yet and still, we are going down another cultural rabbit hole, all for the sake of trying to score political points,” said State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D- Miami Gardens
If approved by the legislature in the 2024 session, the proposal would go on the November 2024 ballot. It would need approval from 60 percent of voters to pass.
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