Maryland's Democratic governor vetoes reparations bill

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the only African-American governor in office, vetoed a Democratic bill to provide reparations to the state's black population. The bill had received the approval of both chambers of the state's Legislature, lacking only Moore's signature to become law.

The rule would have established a Maryland Reparations Commission charged with studying reparations for descendants of slaves and those "impacted by inequitable government policies."

Among the measures the task force was to look at were everything from requests for official pardons to financial compensation to property tax refunds, debt forgiveness and higher student tuition refunds.

"I appreciate the work that went into this legislation, I strongly believe now is not the time for another study," Moore explained in a Friday missive, calling the override a "difficult decision."

Asserting that more than three decades of similar research had resulted in a plan "both vast in scope and robust in scale," he argued instead that it was "time to focus on the work itself: Narrowing the racial wealth gap, expanding homeownership, uplifting entrepreneurs of color, and closing the foundational disparities that lead to inequality from food insecurity to education."

Moore ended his letter by stating that he "look forward to partnering" with the Black Legislative Caucus, the measure's driver, to "build a more equal and just Maryland." The latter's response, however, seems to indicate that it will be a difficult wish to fulfill:

"At a time when the White House and Congress are actively targeting Black communities, dismantling diversity initiatives, and using harmful coded language, Governor Moore had a chance to show the country and the world that here in Maryland we boldly and courageously recognize our painful history and the urgent need to address it," the Black Legislative Caucus said.

"Instead, the State’s first Black governor chose to block this historic legislation that would have moved the state toward directly repairing the harm of enslavement," it continued.

The legislation scrapped by Moore, on the same day he vetoed 20 other proposals from the state Legislature, followed in the footsteps of California, Illinois and New York, among others. At the federal level, although motions have been introduced, none have achieved the necessary support.