Newsom vetoed California reparations bills to avoid appearing too progressive.

Activists in California are hoping that their bills, which were rejected in September, will be re-introduced by a legislator during the upcoming special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom in January.

The community and reparations leaders demand a legislator, regardless of race, to reintroduce the two failed bills, according to California Reparations Task Force Chair Kamilah Moore in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

The California American Freedman's Affairs Agency and a dedicated fund for implementing reparations policies were proposed by SB 1403 and SB 1331, but were rejected after supporters claimed the bills would not be signed by Newsom.

"Moore believes that Newsom's decision to run for governor was motivated by politics, as he did not anticipate the reparations movement gaining momentum so quickly. Additionally, Moore notes that the election year in which Kamala Harris ran for president made it difficult for politicians to appear too progressive in the current political climate."

The two bills, authored by members of the California Legislative Black Caucus, were crucial for the reparations task force to implement its plan to make amends for the legacy of racist policies that perpetuated disparities for Black people in areas such as housing, education, and health.

The California legislature passed several bills to address past racial injustices, but none of them would offer direct financial compensation to African Americans.

"Moore stated that the caucus and even Newsom were supportive of the bills, and there is evidence to support this. The Black Caucus wrote a letter in June requesting $6 million for their friends, the Black Freedom Fund, which is problematic. However, the letter also stated that they wanted to give $6 million to the reparations agency. But, at the last minute in August, they decided to kill the Reparations Agency Fund bill."

At the time, Senator Steven Bradford, who is no longer in office, stated that the bills did not progress due to the fear that they would not pass Newsom's desk.

As the Black Caucus, we must honor the descendants of chattel slavery, Black Californians, and Black Americans by pushing this legislation forward, said Bradford, urging his colleagues to reconsider the bills.

A group of protesters were outraged inside the Sacramento Capitol after being promised the bills would receive time, but they were later pulled.

Bill Essayli, a Republican Assemblyman, accused Democrats of going into hiding and refusing to vote on bills related to reparations for slavery, despite their long-standing promise to pay direct cash reparations to those affected.

Essayli spoke with supporters in the Capitol and made it clear that he did not support California taxpayers funding the mistakes of slave states. Instead, he believed that there should be a discussion and a recorded vote on the issue. He then encouraged the legislature to bring the bills up for a floor debate.

"Essayli stated in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital that he believes there are other ways to provide resources and investments to minority communities, rather than relying on cash payments based solely on race. He pointed out that President-elect Trump had created opportunity zones, which led to direct investments into these communities."

Two new reparations bills have been added to the California legislative agenda, which were presented during the December 2nd special session.

The proposed bill, AB 7, introduced by Assemblymembers Isaac Bryan and Tina McKinnor, suggests that California's higher education institutions, including California State University, the University of California, independent colleges, and private postsecondary institutions, may give preference to applicants who are descendants of American slavery when making admissions decisions.

The bill AB 57, introduced by McKinnor, aims to allocate a portion of California's Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for the descendants of slaves.

Despite staying quiet on most reparations bills this year, Newsom approved a $300 billion budget in June that included up to $12 million for reparations. However, the budget did not specify which proposals the funds would support, and his administration has expressed opposition to some of the measures.

He enacted legislation acknowledging California's past involvement in slavery and its ongoing impact.

"California acknowledges its role in promoting and facilitating slavery, as well as its ongoing legacy of racial disparities, and is now taking another step forward in recognizing the injustices of the past and making amends for the harm caused."

This report was contributed to by Bradford Betz of Planet Chronicle Digital and the Associated Press.