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Reparations Rift: Advocates Take Aim at Black Caucus After Gov. Newsom Vetoes Bills

November 4, 2025

Over the past two legislative sessions, Governor Gavin Newsom has approved only 11 out of 30 reparations-focused bills proposed by California's Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), recently vetoing five significant bills from their "Road to Repair" package. Reparations advocates, already dissatisfied with the CLBC's bill selection, are urging caucus members to engage more directly with community voices when drafting future legislation. Some activists view the vetoes as unsurprising and argue the rejected bills would not have meaningfully benefited descendants of enslaved people.

Who is affected

  • Descendants of enslaved people in California
  • Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC)
  • Governor Gavin Newsom
  • Reparations advocates including Cheryce Cryer and Chad Brown
  • Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC)
  • National Assembly of American Slavery Descendants (NAASD)
  • Senator Laura Richardson (D-Inglewood)
  • Senator Akilah Weber (D-San Diego)
  • Black or African American employees of local governments
  • Cities, counties, and local governments in California
  • Students descended from legacies of harm and exclusion

What action is being taken

  • CJEC is developing and formulating a plan for the 2026 legislative session
  • Cities, counties, and local governments are required to use more detailed demographic categories when collecting data about Black or African American employees (starting January 1, 2027, per SB 515)
  • The CLBC has indicated it will regroup to bring back bills for the 2026 legislative session
  • Advocates are calling on CLBC members to include community perspectives in drafting future legislation

Why it matters

  • This situation highlights the ongoing struggle to implement meaningful reparations policies in California following the state's historic Reparations Task Force report. The disconnect between elected officials and community advocates threatens the effectiveness of reparations legislation, as bills crafted without direct community input may fail to address the actual needs of descendants of enslaved people. With California being the first state to create a dedicated bureau for reparations, the success or failure of these legislative efforts could set precedents for other states considering similar measures. The vetoes and community response underscore the critical importance of authentic engagement between lawmakers and the communities they aim to serve in addressing historical harms.

What's next

  • The CLBC will regroup to bring back bills to push through the legislature in 2026
  • CJEC is developing and formulating its plan for the 2026 legislative session
  • Advocates plan to continue their legislative fight in the coming year
  • Cities, counties, and local governments will begin using more detailed demographic categories for Black or African American employees starting January 1, 2027

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Reparations Rift: Advocates Take Aim at Black Caucus After Gov. Newsom Vetoes Bills