Newsom supports cash reparations? Governor’s comments ‘inaccurately framed,’ spokesperson says

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson has corrected the “inaccurate” framing of his comments earlier this week in response to approved recommendations by the state’s task force that studied the wrongdoings of slavery and other historical forms of discrimination against Black people.

It was reported Wednesday by Fox News that Newsom “declined to endorse cash payments,” which is a false narrative according to the Governor’s office.

Newsom had said in a media statement that “dealing with the legacy of slavery is about much more than cash payments.”

A spokesperson for Newsom clarified his comments in an email statement to The Bee.

“The sensationalized framing in pieces published by outlets like Fox News and others is inaccurate. The Governor looks forward to reviewing the final report — and all recommendations — when complete.”

Newsom’s chief communication advisor, Anthony York said that Newsom is not backing away from cash payments, but wants to wait for the report in its entirety to arrive on his desk before he makes any decision.

York added that the cash payments matter “will be resolved” after Newsom meets with Legislative leaders in the coming months.

The task force has until their June 30 meeting to make final amendments to their recommendations.

What cash payments could be part of California reparations?

California’s administrative leader showed support for the state task force and their “bipartisan effort to advance justice and promote healing” in the state, potentially causing a ripple effect across the nation.

On May 6, California’s Reparations Task Force approved their recommendations which entail a formal apology, policy reform, legislation change, and other forms of restitution which includes cash payments.

Some of the possible estimated values of recommended reparations for Black Californians are:

▪ For health care disparities: $13,619 for each year of residency, based on 71-year life expectancy;

▪ For housing discrimination: $148,099 or $3,366 for each year between 1933 and 1977 spent as a resident of the state;

▪ For mass incarceration and over policing: $115,260 or $2,352 for each year of residency in California during the 49-year period between 1971 and 2020.

Why reparations activists are focused on cash payments

Reparations activist, Chris Lodgson, told The Sacramento Bee during a phone interview that if “it’s not direct compensation, it’s not reparations.”

“I’m very confident that the Governor will recognize what a tremendous opportunity he has in front of him to directly pay the debt owed to the descendants of persons who were enslaved in the United States,” Lodgson said.

In 2020, Newsom signed AB 3121, authored by then-Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, to explore how California might compensate Black residents for harms caused by enslavement and racial injustice.

The bill put together a nine person committee to study the vestiges of slavery and injustice towards Black Californians. Newsom appointed 5 members, two members were appointed by the President pro Tempore of the Senate, and two members by the Speaker of the Assembly.

One task force member, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, said that reparations is “more than just a check” in a statement to The Bee.

“Reparations take many forms. Non-officeholding members of the Task Force and the Governor now look to the Legislature to see what types of reparations will be presented as a bill package based on the final report,” Jones-Sawyer said.

“Until then, many will continue to speculate and drive false narratives that are based upon assumptions.”