California budgets $12 million for reparations laws

In California’s new state budget, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over the weekend, $12 million has been allocated for reparations bills.

While the money was allocated within the state’s $297.9 billion budget, it was not made clear what the funds will be used for or how it will be dealt out.

According to a report from the Associated Press , some programs are not being considered by lawmakers, like direct payments made directly to Black Californians.

The state’s reparations task force is continuing to study how California could atone for discrimination against African Americans. As of now, no decision has been made, but several possibilities are being discussed.

One option no longer on the table is a proposal that would have seen widespread payments to descendants of enslaved Black people.

After backlash for the payment proposal, state lawmakers are working to find an agreeable answer for how to issue reparations, including issuing a formal apology for California’s discrimination against the Black community.

California’s legislative branch is discussing the possibility of identifying Black families who had their homes unfairly seized through eminent domain.

The state is also considering creating an agency to administer reparations, though the Assembly Committee on Appropriations estimated it would cost as much as $5 million to operate annually.

Another option that was floated in May but has since been thrown aside was offering free tuition to public colleges for those who are descendants of enslaved African Americans.

Several of the ideas brought forth by state Sen. Steven Bradford (D) were shot down. Still, he is working to find an answer after the money was allocated.

“We often say the budget is a reflection of our values and our priorities, so the fact that there’s any money for reparations should be a reason for celebrating,” Bradford shared with The Hill .

However, not all of his Democratic colleagues feel the same, as Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire shared at a state event on Monday that the “$12 million is not nearly enough.”