Maryland bill creating commission to study, recommend slavery reparations heads to governor's desk

A Maryland bill creating a commission to survey and recommend feasible slavery reparations is now at the desk of Democratic Gov Wes Moore Lawmakers in the Old Line State advanced the bill to Moore after it passed the state's House by a - vote Moore has commented he will consider the statute according to The Associated Press In the bill prospective reparations are described as official statements of apology monetary compensation property tax rebates and social facility assistance including assistance with down payments on homes business incentives child care debt forgiveness and college tuition payment waivers HOUSE DEMS REINTRODUCE REPARATIONS BILL 'WE REFUSE TO BE SILENT' The measure which was a top priority for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland also seeks to analysis the lingering effects of racial discrimination in the state Baltimore County Del Aletheia McCaskill a Democrat described the goal of a reparations commission when outlining the Black caucus' legislative session priorities at the beginning of the year The commission will systematically examine and evaluate a range of reparations proposals that will not only consider financial restitution but will also explore strategies to help and uplift vulnerable communities that continue to suffer the lingering and evasive effects of discriminatory practices rooted in systematic racism McCaskill stated NYC COUNCIL PASSES SLAVERY REPARATIONS LAW TO 'YIELD MATERIAL SOLUTIONS' FROM US HISTORY Moore who is Maryland's first Black governor has not reported if he will sign the measure only that he will consider it I have reported and long stated that the history of racism in this state is real he reported to reporters adding that the impacts are still very much being felt and they ve been structurally felt within the state of Maryland Though the governor has noted the state is experiencing a tough budget year and he has the development of Maryland's commercial sector in mind when viewing decree Maryland is not the first state to consider such act California lawmakers passed a bill last year that resulted in a formal apology for past racist policies and the return of land or compensation to families who had property unjustly seized by the executive Also last year lawmakers in New York City passed provision with goals to investigation the city's role in slavery and consider reparations to descendants of slaves The Associated Press contributed to this assessment