Newsom speaks out on $800B reparations proposal by California task force.

Gov. Gavin Newsom Breaks Silence on California Reparations Task Force Proposal

More Than Just Cash Payments

After months of silence, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has finally responded to the California Reparations Task Force’s $800 billion proposal. The task force, which was created in response to the death of George Floyd, has proposed a reparations model that includes massive monetary payments to black citizens. However, Newsom argues that the issue is about “much more than cash payments.”

“Dealing with that legacy [of slavery] 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,” Newsom said in a statement to Fox News.

• Breaking down barriers to vote
• Bolstering resources to address hate
• Enacting sweeping law enforcement and justice reforms to build trust and safety
• Strengthening economic mobility
• Investing billions to root out disparities and improve equity in housing, education, healthcare, and well beyond

Newsom praised the work of the task force and promised to continue working towards an inclusive and equitable future for all Californians.

How Much in Reparations?

The reparations plan includes a slew of suggestions that suggest revolutionary change across every aspect of society, but the aspect most focused on has been the massive monetary payments to black citizens. Though the total price tag has not been approved by the state legislature, or Newsom himself, the latest proposal could see payments of up to $1.2 million sent to black residents. The new proposal aims to send payments on a structured system based on the amount of time spent in California, and the number of alleged harms committed against them.

If the $800 billion price tag is correct, it would represent over two times the entire state’s budget, as California struggles with a significant deficit.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.