Maryland to consider slavery reparations after Gov. Wes Moore’s veto is overridden

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland will create a commission to study potential reparations for slavery after lawmakers voted Tuesday to override a veto by Gov. Wes Moore — currently the nation’s only Black governor — that disappointed many fellow Democrats.

Moore said in his veto letter in May that it was a difficult decision to veto the bill, which was a priority of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. But he wrote that there has been enough study of the legacy of slavery and that it was now time to “focus on the work itself” to address it.

But Democrats who control both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly decided the commission was needed to better examine how to get there.

“This topic is not easy, but, again, without formal study, reparations risk being dismissed as symbolic or unconstitutional, regardless of their moral merit,” said Democratic Sen. Charles Sydnor.

After his veto was overridden, Moore said that while he disagreed with the legislature’s decision, “I look forward to moving forward in partnership on the repair work that we all agree is an urgent and pressing need.”

“I believe it is time to act – and we must continue to move forward with the repair work immediately,” Moore said in a statement. “This mission is especially vital given the immediate and ongoing effects of this federal administration on our constituents, including communities that have historically been left behind. »

Potential relief outlined in the bill includes formal statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax reductions, welfare assistance, and license and permit fee waivers and refunds. Relief could also include home down payment assistance, business incentives, child care, debt forgiveness and higher education tuition waivers.

Maryland’s black population is about 30 percent, the highest percentage of any state outside the Deep South.

Support for reparations grew following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020. However, the issue remains difficult, particularly for high-profile Democrats, and comes amid a broader conservative backlash over how race, history and inequality are treated in public institutions.

“At a time of growing attacks on diversity and equity, today’s action reaffirms our shared commitment to truth, accountability and meaningful progress for Black Marylanders,” the state’s Legislative Black Caucus said in a statement.

In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom offered a mixed message to supporters of bills aimed at combating racist and discriminatory policies against African Americans. He signed legislation authorizing $6 million for California State University to study how to confirm an individual’s status as a descendant of a slave. But he vetoed other bills championed by the California Legislative Black Caucus as tools to atone for the state’s history.

Newsom, who plans to run for president in 2028, signed legislation last year to formally apologize for slavery and its lingering effects on Black Californians.

Moore has said he does not plan to run for president in 2028, but he has continued to cultivate a national profile that has attracted the attention of pundits as a potential White House candidate.

New York City lawmakers approved legislation last year to study the city’s significant role in slavery and consider reparations for descendants of slaves.

In 2021, Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, became the first U.S. city to create a reparations plan for its Black residents, using tax revenue from the sale of recreational marijuana.

Only a few years ago, Americans viewed the prospect of reparations rather negatively. A 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that only about 3 in 10 American adults said descendants of people enslaved in the United States should be repaid in some way, such as by giving them land or money. About 7 in 10 people said these descendants should not be reimbursed.

Maryland lawmakers did not address congressional redistricting during their one-day special session. Moore expressed interest in a new map, which could be introduced when lawmakers convene in January for their annual 90-day session. However, the state Senate president said he did not support drawing up a new map. Democrats hold a 7-1 advantage over Republicans in the state’s eight congressional districts.