Ca Reparations Task Force Says Proposal would Cost $800B
The leader of California's reparations task force said it won't take a stance on how much the state should compensate individual Black residents. Economists estimated that residents may be owed more than $800 billion for over-policing and housing discrimination. The $800 billion estimate is more than 2.5 times California's annual budget. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation creating the reparations task force in 2020. It has until July 1 to submit recommendations on how the state can atone for its role in perpetuating damage done by slavery. Ultimately, it's up to lawmakers to decide which reparations to approve, if any. Opponents say California taxpayers are not responsible for slavery.