Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) hit back Wednesday at reports that claimed that he declined to back the monetary reparations payment plan recommended by the California Reparations Task Force.
A Newsom spokeswoman told the Washington Examiner in an email that the "sensationalized framing" of reports claiming that Newsom declined to back the reparation payments were "inaccurate."
HOW MUCH IN REPARATIONS ARE THE CALIFORNIA REPARATIONS TASK FORCE PROPOSING?
"The Governor looks forward to reviewing the final report — and all recommendations — when complete," the spokesperson added.
Newsom broke his silence about the huge payments recommended by the California Reparations Task Force's plan on Tuesday, praising the task force's work but saying that "dealing with the legacy of slavery is about much more than cash payments."
"Many of the recommendations put forward by the Task Force are critical action items we’ve already been hard at work addressing: breaking down barriers to vote, bolstering resources to address hate, enacting sweeping law enforcement and justice reforms to build trust and safety, strengthening economic mobility — all while investing billions to root out disparities and improve equity in housing, education, healthcare, and beyond. This work must continue," California's governor said.
The state's reparations task force, established by Newsom's declaration in the wake of George Floyd's death in 2020, has drawn attention due to the large amount of reparation payments it is recommending. It voted on Saturday to approve a reparations model that is estimated to cost the state over $800 billion just in monetary payments. The final recommendations of the group are due to be completed by July 1, after which they will be sent to the state legislature to be voted on. If passed, the bill will go to Newsom's desk to sign.
"The Reparations Task Force’s independent findings and recommendations are a milestone in our bipartisan effort to advance justice and promote healing. We need to wait for the Task Force to finish its work and submit its final report. We are waiting for the process to be completed," Newsom said. "We should continue to work as a nation to reconcile our original sin of slavery and understand how that history has shaped our country."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Though the total price tag has not been approved by the state legislature or Newsom himself, the latest proposal could see payments of up to $1.2 million sent to black residents. The new proposal aims to send payments on a structured system based on the amount of time spent in California and the number of alleged harms committed against them.
If the $800 billion price tag is correct, it will represent over two times the entire state's budget as California struggles with a significant deficit.