California Governor Declines to Publicly Back Recommended Reparations Payments for Black Residents

California’s governor has declined to publicly say whether he’d support reparations payments to some Black state residents recommended by a task force looking at how to mitigate injustices and discrimination stemming from slavery.

The recommendations approved Saturday outline restitution that, if approved by state lawmakers, could cost billions of dollars to address historical disparities in health care, housing and policing.

“Dealing with legacy is about much more than cash payments,” Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is White, told CNN affiliate KCRA in a statement.

“Many of the recommendations put forward by the Task Force are critical action items we’ve already been hard at work addressing: 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 – all while investing billions to root out disparities and improve equity in housing, education, healthcare, and well beyond,” Newsom said.

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Newsom in 2021 signed the bill to establish the task force, and five of its nine members are appointed by the governor.

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