California Governor Gavin Newsom has stepped back from supporting his own task force’s $800 billion in slavery reparation proposals.
The California Reparation Task Force was signed into law in 2020. It comprises members appointed directly by Governor Newsom.
The aim of the committee, according to the governor, is to dismantle systemic racism that is believed to exist throughout various parts of society today as we know it.
Newsom in a statement to Fox News said the legacy of slavery “…is about much more than cash payments.”
CA Gov. Newsom declines to back reparations checks, says slavery's legacy about 'more than cash payments' https://t.co/aLGzSSqsRH #FoxNews
— TheLeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) May 10, 2023
The governor himself said he continues to support the work put forth by the task force, saying their proposals are important to society. Newsom believes these are key action items that his administration is working hard to address.
The California governor claims this involves breaking down obstacles to vote, supporting help to address hate, legislating vacuuming law enforcement and justice reforms to build trust and safety, and intensifying financial mobility.
Payments issued by the task force would be divided between historical eras of discrimination; if black residents lived in California between 1930-1970, they would obtain $148,099 per year.
California Task Force Approves $1.2 Million for Each African-American Resident
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) May 10, 2023
“‘First of all, California was not a slave state, It was admitted to the union in 1850 as a free state,’ Elder told The Epoch Times.”https://t.co/2ijYK2qAEI#Reparations
The board released its “semifinal report” on Saturday, May 6 with the total being an outstanding $1.2 million per person.
The 500-page report factors together over-policing, mass incarceration, housing discrimination, and inadequate healthcare. Each qualified person will be determined via survey.
Further, details within the report submitted suggest going beyond just payment, as chairwomen Lisa Holder wrote the following:
“Reparations will comprise agendas that end racism within our primary establishments. These programs will be in lodging, criminal-legal methods, schooling, health and therapy, and financial capital and asset-creating infrastructure.”
Upon submission of the final report, Newsom looks forward to continuing working with the task force. California currently struggles with a massive deficit, the needed revenue would exceed its state budget two times over.
This article appeared in The Political Globe and has been published here with permission.
