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In 2020, California created the first state task force to study how to remedy the harms caused by slavery, an issue that had long been discussed but rarely acted upon. Three years later, that panel recommended more than 100 ideas, including $1.2 million payments for some older Black Californians.
But since then, California’s movement toward reparations has slowed as state leaders have had to decide whether to spend actual tax dollars on tangible benefits and as the public remains opposed to providing compensation.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed legislation this month to create a state agency that will determine who qualifies as a descendant of slavery. But he vetoed measures that would have given descendants preference in college admissions, home loan assistance and restitution for property seized in past years by the government through eminent domain.
“Establishing this agency is an incredibly powerful demonstration and first step, but many folks are past the window-dressing moment,” said Isaac Bryan, a Democratic assemblyman who wrote the college admissions bill.
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And Mr. Newsom may have less political motivation than he did before as he weighs the possibility of running for president in 2028. A majority of Americans oppose taxpayer-funded reparations, and the nation as a whole is more conservative than California.
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In California, civil rights activists have been divided on reparations, with some focusing on monetary restitution and others embracing a more incremental approach. Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus recognized the political headwinds and removed the term “reparations” from their legislative package. They instead called it the “road to repair” to signal that their focus was not on cash payments.
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But Mr. Newsom was not willing to expand such restitution this year. He vetoed legislation on Monday that would have created a statewide system for the government to compensate people whose property had been taken through similar “racially motivated” actions. He said in a veto message that the state could not afford huge costs that were not included in the state budget. {snip}
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