California reparations: Key details on proposed legislation

The California Reparations Task Force: Proposals and Challenges

The California reparations task force is set to submit its final report to the Golden State legislature next week after years of deliberation. The task force has outlined ambitious proposals in its approved plan, including reparations of up to $1.4 million. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming proposal.

The Payment Proposal

The proposed reparations payments are categorized based on various alleged harms that the committee aims to address on behalf of California. The amount of compensation varies depending on the duration of time spent in the Golden State. Some of the categories include alleged health-related harms and alleged housing discrimination.

• Health-related harms: Those who have suffered from health-related harms would receive $13,619 for each year spent in California, with descendants also eligible for the payments.
• Over-policing victims: Individuals who were victims of alleged over-policing from 1971 through 2020 would be entitled to $2,352 for each year living in California during that time, with a maximum amount of $115,260.
• Housing discrimination: Eligible individuals affected by housing discrimination from 1933 to 1977 would receive up to $148,099, or $3,366 for each year of residency during that period.

Estimates suggest that the total payments could reach up to $1.4 million per person.

Other Proposals in the Report

While the payments garner the most attention, the task force’s final report includes additional initiatives aimed at addressing past and present discrimination. One of the recommendations is to repeal a law that prohibits discrimination based on race or other characteristics. However, this proposal faces challenges, as voters recently rejected a proposition to repeal the constitutional amendment banning affirmative action.

Chances in the State Legislature

The task force’s plans face an uphill battle in the state legislature, particularly regarding the reparations payments. Democratic state Sen. Steven Bradford expressed skepticism, stating that California is not as liberal as commonly believed when it comes to race-related issues. Polling also indicates that the task force does not have majority support in the state, with 54% viewing it unfavorably.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Perspective

Governor Gavin Newsom has not explicitly stated his support for the task force’s findings. He has emphasized that reparations encompass more than just monetary compensation, drawing parallels to Ronald Reagan’s reparations for the Japanese. Newsom acknowledges that those paying for reparations may have no direct connection to slavery. While he has not directly addressed the up to $1.4 million payments, he emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that goes beyond financial considerations.

The state’s $31.5 billion budget deficit further complicates the reparations proposals, as various programs may face cuts. The final report will be completed and delivered to the legislature on June 29 for consideration.

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