California Puts $12 Million Slice of Budget Into Reparations

Despite the state deficit, lawmakers find funds that will let some departments prepare for task force recommendations.

(L-R) State Sen. Steven Bradford, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, task force member Lisa Holder, and Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer hold up a final report of the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans during a hearing in Sacramento on June 29, 2023. Haven Daley/AP

A newly announced budget agreement between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders includes $12 million to begin implementing the recommendations issued last year by the state’s reparations task force.

Supporters said the money is a step in the right direction.