California allocates $12 million for reparations initiatives

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed the state’s new $297.9 billion budget over the weekend, allocating $12 million for reparations bills.

State Sen. Steven Bradford, a Democrat, said California “bears great responsibility” for the past.

“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 said .

California lawmakers opted not to implement widespread payments to descendants of enslaved black people , following recommendations from the reparations task force on addressing discrimination .

Instead, they are considering issuing an apology for the state’s discrimination against the black community and identifying black families who had their homes unfairly seized through eminent domain .

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire said that “$12 million is not nearly enough.”

There is also the possibility of creating an agency to administer these reparations, with an estimated annual operational cost ranging from $3 million to $5 million, according to an estimate from the Assembly Committee on Appropriations .

In addition, lawmakers decided against legislation for free college tuition at public institutions for descendants of enslaved black people, along with housing and property tax assistance.

Newsom’s approval of the reparations budget drew criticism, especially from Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher.

“ Slavery was a stain on our nation’s history , but I don’t believe it’s fair to try to right the wrongs of the past at the expense of the people today who did nothing wrong,” Gallagher said in a statement .

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“More than a quarter of Californians are immigrants — how can we look at those people, who are struggling as it is, and say it’s on them to make up for something that happened more than 150 years ago?” Gallagher said.

These reparations mean “they’re taking accountability and responsibility, and they’re acknowledging the harms and the atrocities to this particular population,” said Kamilah Moore, chairwoman of the reparations task force. “That’s a huge step that should not be overlooked.”