California lawmakers pass ambitious bills to atone for legacy of racism against Black residents

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers this week passed some of the nation’s most ambitious legislation aimed at atoning for a legacy of racist policies that drove disparities for Black people, from housing to education to health.

But they left out two bills that would have created a fund aimed at addressing discriminatory state policies and an agency to implement reparations programs — key components for the state to enact other reparations measures. Black Caucus Chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson confirmed Saturday afternoon that lawmakers will not vote on them before the end-of-year deadline.

That effectively kills the two proposals after years of efforts, advocates said.

“What do we need a Black Caucus for?” said Chris Lodgson, an organizer with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, a reparations advocacy group. “These are priority bills of the caucus, and they are blocking their own the bills.”

None of the bills would provide widespread direct payments to African Americans. The state Legislature instead approved proposals allowing for the return of land or compensation to families whose property was unjustly seized by the government, and issuing a formal apology for laws and practices that have harmed Black people.

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