Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has signaled that he may reject the recommendations of his own committee to pay reparations to eligible Black residents.
Newsom commissioned the California Reparations Task Force in 2020 to study the effects of slavery and racism in the state. After a two-year investigation, the committee recommended cash payments for eligible Black residents. Newsom told Fox News Digital that reparations were “more than cash payments” on May 10.
“The Reparations Task Force’s independent findings and recommendations are a milestone in our bipartisan effort to advance justice and promote healing,” said Newsom. “This has been an important process, and we should continue to work as a nation to reconcile our original sin of slavery and understand how that history has shaped our country.”
Related: Here Are the 12 ‘Badges of Slavery’ a California Task Force Says Constitute a Case for State and Federal Reparations
He went on to stress the need for systematic change.
“Dealing with that legacy is about much more than cash payments. Many of the recommendations put forward by the Task Force are critical action items we’ve already been hard at work addressing,” said Newsom.
The governor added that obstacles such as “breaking down barriers to vote” and “bolstering resources to address hate” needed to be addressed. The 55-year-old also said that enacting “sweeping” law enforcement and justice reforms was needed to build trust. Newsom added that “strengthening economic mobility” while the state invested “billions to root out disparities” and improve housing equity, education and health care “must continue.”
“Following the Task Force’s submission of its final report this summer,” he continued, “I look forward to a continued partnership with the Legislature to advance systemic changes that ensure an inclusive and equitable future for all Californians.”
The reparations…
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