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

A Maryland bill creating a commission to investigation and recommend possible 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 noted he will consider the law according to The Associated Press In the bill possible reparations are described as official statements of apology monetary compensation property tax rebates and social system assistance including assistance with down payments on homes business incentives child care debt forgiveness and college tuition payment waivers HOUSE DEMS REINTRODUCE REPARATIONS PROVISION 'WE REFUSE TO BE SILENT' The measure which was a top priority for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland also seeks to inquiry 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 rigorously examine and evaluate a range of reparations proposals that will not only consider financial restitution but will also explore strategies to assistance and uplift vulnerable communities that continue to suffer the lingering and evasive effects of discriminatory practices rooted in systematic racism McCaskill revealed NYC COUNCIL PASSES SLAVERY REPARATIONS LAW TO 'YIELD MATERIAL SOLUTIONS' FROM US HISTORY Moore who is Maryland's first Black governor has not commented if he will sign the measure only that he will consider it I have revealed and long stated that the history of racism in this state is real he stated 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 revealed the state is experiencing a tough budget year and he has the enhancement of Maryland's commercial sector in mind when viewing measure Maryland is not the first state to consider such decree 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 ruling body Also last year lawmakers in New York City passed bill with goals to research the city's role in slavery and consider reparations to descendants of slaves The Associated Press contributed to this assessment