After supporters stated that the bills would not move forward, a pair of reparations-related bills for the descendants of enslaved Black Americans were unable to pass the California legislature on Saturday.
Written by Democrat state Sen. Steven Bradford of Inglewood, Senate Bill 1331 would have made another state fund for restitutions, while Senate Bill 1403 would have laid out a state agency to manage these endeavors and determine who might be eligible.
Addressing Disparity
These measures were thought to be crucial to the ambitious efforts of some lawmakers to pass legislation to atone for what they said was a legacy of racist policies that caused housing, education, and health disparities for Black people.
While a number of other bills to address past racial injustices were passed by the Democratic-led California legislature, none of them would provide direct payments to African Americans.
Veto Fears
According to Bradford, the bills did not move forward because of fears that they would be vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Bradford urged his colleagues to reconsider Saturday afternoon, saying, “We’re at the finish line, and we, as the Black Caucus, owe it to the descendants of chattel slavery, to Black Californians and Black Americans, to move this legislation forward.”
More Work Needed
Assemblymember Lori Wilson, chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, stated on Saturday that the Black Caucus withdrew the bills, adding that the proposals require additional work.
“We knew from the very beginning that it was an uphill battle. … And we also knew from the very beginning that it would be a multiyear effort,” Wilson told journalists.
CLBC Speaks Out
In a post on X, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) said it was “unable to participate in the legislative process collectively and only recently became aware of the concerns with [SB 1403].”
CLBC went on to state, “We are well past the amendment deadline; therefore, the decision has been made to continue working on this bill and reintroduce it in the next session. Regarding the status of Senate Bill 1331, the CLBC will not be moving it forward this year.”
State Capitol Protest
A group of protestors in favor of reparations appeared at the State Capitol Saturday for demonstrations in response to the bills being shot down.
CLBC was accused by the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California of failing to put the bills to a vote despite having the necessary support.
“We’re HERE, to Get Our Checks”
The Coalition for a Just & Equitable California (CJEC) posted on X, “This type of betrayal cannot go unanswered. There must be a political price to pay. Gone are the days when politicians of any race or party can disrespect Black Americans and expect no political consequences.
“We are not captured. We do not belong to any party or special interest. We are the living embodiment of our Ancestors who built this state and this country over 400 years and who are owed Reparations. We’re coming…No…We’re HERE, to get our checks and more.”
Democrats Gone “Into Hiding”
California Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli of Corona moved to take up the bills for a vote, yet no other legislator would support the idea.
On X, Essayli said that Democrats had gone “into hiding” and refused to put the bills up for a vote when it was time to pass them, even though they had “[promised] to pay direct cash reparations to Americans who have been harmed by slavery” for years.
“The People Were Owed a Hearing”
Essayli, who said he had a good faith discourse with the bills’ allies, explained that he didn’t support California citizens paying for the wrongs of slave states but “believed there should be a debate and a recorded vote on the issue.”
Essayli stated, “Politicians cannot be allowed to make promises to the people who elect them, and then hide like cowards when it’s time to go on record. At minimum, the People were owed a hearing and opportunity to know where their elected representative stands on the issue.”
Newsom Stays Quiet
SB 1331 and 1403 were placed on the inactive file document before 12 AM.
Although he signed a nearly $300 billion budget in June that included up to $12 million for reparations legislation, the Democrat governor Newsom has not commented on the majority of the other bills related to reparations.
Opposition to Proposals
However, his administration has expressed opposition to some of the proposals, and the budget did not specify what the proposals would be used for.
Newsom has until Sept. 30 to choose whether to sign different bills that passed into law. When asked for comment, the office of the governor pointed to previous comments Newsom made on the matter earlier in the year.
“Constitutional Constraints”
At the time when questioned by reporters, Newsom said, “I haven’t [just] read [the Reparations report] — I’ve devoured it. I’ve analyzed it.”
“I’ve stress tested against things we’ve done, things we’re doing, things that we’d like to do, but can’t do because of constitutional constraints. And I’ve been working closely with the Black Caucus.”
As the election looms this latest setback for proponents of reparations may have an impact on Kamala Harris’ bid for President.
