‘People are still mad’: Will California pass reparations bills?

After two reparations bills stalled in the final day of session last year, reparation advocates are campaigning Tuesday at the state Capitol to drum up support for the same measures.

In partnership with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, the advocates are calling the rally “the first reparations advocacy day” in state history. The event’s lead organizer, Chris Lodgson, said they want lawmakers to introduce, support and adopt “bold” reparation bills — including the ones the coalition are prioritizing.

“People are still mad about the bills that did not get to the governor’s desk last year, ... and we’re looking forward to success in 2025,” he said.

The two stalled bills weren’t part of the 14-bill reparations package championed by the California Legislative Black Caucus last year: One would have created a new state agency, while the other would have created a fund for reparations policies.

But the caucus, which sought a less sweeping approach in the face of public backlash, prevented the proposals from coming to a vote in the Assembly — a move that upset advocates. Gov. Gavin Newsom ultimately signed five of the 14 bills.

The coalition is also pushing for proposals to allocate $30 million in the 2025-26 state budget to fund the state agency; create a guaranteed income program for senior residents who are descendants of slaves; and compensate Black families who had their property seized through “racially motivated” eminent domain (a proposal Newsom vetoed last year).

But similar to 2024, advocates have a tough road ahead. Reparations in the form of cash payments are politically unpopular, and the Legislature has been warned against new spending amid a budget crunch.

Still, supporters are hopeful. Lodgson said last year’s defeats convinced advocates to take “bigger” actions and reach out to other potential allies.

“The Black Caucus should not ‘own’ all the reparations activity legislatively," he said. "We’re looking to work outside the Democratic Party quite frankly. Folks in both parties need to take the lead on this, and we’ve been talking to the Republican Party too.”