The budget deal announced by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders on Saturday sets aside $12 million to help the state implement a series of reparations that lawmakers hope will be passed this year.
“That’s a victory,” Democratic Congressional Leader Lori Wilson, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, said in an interview.
First, it was exactly what Black lawmakers were asking for, she said. But it also comes in a year when the state faced a nearly $47 billion deficit.
“Even in a year of challenging deficits, our leadership and the governor have recognized the obligation to those affected by slavery,” said Wilson, who represents Solano and parts of Contra Costa and Sacramento counties.
The money would help support proposals endorsed by the caucus, including having the state apologize for harming Black Californians and allowing slavery in the state. Wilson said the group currently supports 15 bills, including two constitutional amendments, and that lawmakers could add another. They hope to pass the bills by the end of the legislative session on August 31.
The effort follows a multi-year investigation by a state task force to document racist harm to Black people in California and also explore how leaders can implement reparations. It was the first of its kind at the state level and dispelled the myth that California was free from slavery.
Pending bills include creating the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency and having that new department investigate cases of possible racially motivated eminent domain. They would also prevent the state from punishing prisoners who refuse to work and help create a grant program to fund community efforts to reduce violence in neighborhoods and schools.
Lawmakers are also involved in a statewide tour to discuss the task force’s findings and listen to residents.
Current bills do not include setting aside cash payments for descendants of enslaved people.
Wilson said this is still a long-term goal, but proposing such a measure is a matter of timing. To do that, Wilson said, more lawmakers need to be aware of what the task force found.
“We’re not there yet.”
