By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
(CBM) – Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several bills included in a priority reparations package introduced by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), including Assembly Bill 3089 — which formally apologies to Black Californians for the harms caused by slavery, discrimination and other historical injustices.
However, some advocates say they do not consider the legislation reparations.
Newsom signed the historic bills into law before members of CLBC in the State Capitol Annex Swing Spaces’ press room. The bills address key issues such as housing disparities, maternal health, economic inequality, and educational access –issues that have long disproportionately impacted Black Californians.
“Today’s bill signing represents a promise for the future based on years of hard work and dedication from the CLBC and our allies,” stated Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City). “Together with Gov. Newsom, we are sending a powerful message that California is leading the way in repairing the harm done to Black communities. Today marks a victory, but only the first in the continued fight for justice.”
AB 3089 passed the Legislature with unanimous bipartisan support. It acknowledges California’s historical role in the perpetuation of slavery and its enduring legacy.
A Sept. 26 statement issued by Newsom states that the “signing event marks a significant milestone in California’s ongoing efforts to promote healing and advance justice.”
“As we confront the lasting legacy of slavery, I’m profoundly grateful for the efforts put forward by Chair Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson and the members of the California Legislative Black Caucus,” Newsom stated. “The State of California accepts responsibility for the role we played in promoting, facilitating, and permitting the institution of slavery, as well as its enduring legacy of persistent racial disparities.”
Authored by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), AB 3089 requires the state to install a plaque memorializing the apology in the State Capitol.
Additionally, the bill imposes different duties on the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Joint Rules Committee (JRC) relating to the installation and maintenance of the plaque. Both entities will receive money from grants and private donations to finance the upkeep of the plaque.
The Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC) – a statewide grassroots advocates, organizers, and mobilizers for reparations and reparative justice – say they do not recognize AB 3089 as reparations.
On Sept. 27, the organization’s members posted their thoughts about the bill on the X platform formerly called Twitter. CJEC members describe the reparations package as “racial equity bills.”
“An apology is not #Reparations, nor is it a first step toward Reparations. It’s a step backward. We don’t need any more words. We demand action. We demand Reparations,” CJEC posted.
The following bills in the package were also signed by Newsom:
- AB 3131, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) — Provides Equity Multiplier funding to school districts funding for education.
- AB 1815, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) — Prohibits discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles.
- AB 1896, Assemblymember Issac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) — Eliminates banning books without oversight and review in prisons.
- Senate Bill (SB) 1089, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) — Addresses grocery stores and pharmacy closures.
Other reparations bills signed into law are SB 1348, Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) designating specific public universities as California Black-serving institutions; AB 1984 (Weber), requires systematically review of pupils’ suspensions and expulsions data; and AB 51, Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), which supports Early Childcare and Education: California State Preschool.
Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 8 was part of the package, but it will be on the ballot as Prop. 6. The ballot measure would amend the state constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime if passed by voters.
Two reparations bills were vetoed by Newsom.
The first, Bonta’s AB 1975 would have required the Department of Health Care Services to make medically supportive food and nutrition interventions a permanent benefit under the Medi-Cal program. Newsom stated that the bill would result in important and continuous General Fund costs for the program.
“I encourage the Legislature to explore this policy next year as part of the annual budget,” Newsom stated on Sept. 26.
Bradford’s SB 1050 was also vetoed. The bill would have addressed racially motivated eminent domain and restore property taken from its original owners or provide another effective remedy where appropriate, such as restitution or compensation.
Newsom said he did not sign SB 1050 because the bill “tasks a nonexistent state agency to carry out its various provisions and requirements.”
That “nonexistent agency,” the California African American Freedmen Affairs Agency (CAAFAA), would have been created by SB 1403, a bill introduced by Bradford. However, the Legislature did not bring that bill up for a vote on the Assembly floor during the last legislative session.
“I thank the author for his commitment to redressing past racial injustices,” Newsom said in a Sept. 25 statement. “However, this bill tasks nonexistent state agency to carry out its various provisions and requirements, making it impossible to implement.”
