Hochul Signing Controversial NY State Slavery Reparations Bill

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As per the bill's sponsor's statement, New York State Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, State Gov. Kathy Hochul is slated to sign legislation on Tuesday that will establish a community panel to investigate possible solutions for slavery reparations.

While New York State fought against slavery in the Civil War, slavery remained legal in the state until 1827. According to Spectrum News1, New York also "...provided insurance for slave owners in other states and supported the national slave industry, keeping it alive for additional generations." According to Luke Perry, a political science professor at Utica University, those actions "... had significant implications on life in this state that still permeate today, when we look at the racial wealth gap, education, employment and upward mobility. I think that's prompted further analysis of what should be done."

If passed, nine members would make up the commission, with three members selected by the governor, the speaker of the state assembly, and the majority leader of the state senate.

The commission members would have to submit a report outlining their findings and recommendations to the legislature within a year of the group's first meeting.

“What’s hard to embrace is that our state flourished from that slavery. It’s not a beautiful story, but indeed it is the truth. Today, I challenge all New Yorkers to be the patriots and rebuke and not excuse our role in benefitting from the institution of slavery.” ~ Gov. Kathy Hochul

According to Solages, the study is a necessary step toward the state's atonement for its involvement in the American slave trade as well as helping the descendants of enslaved New Yorkers overcome historical injustices.

"This is about making sure our communities are made whole, and so my belief is that the sooner we sign this, the sooner we can start healing our communities and begin that conversation of how we can live united as all New Yorkers," she said.