California to Launch ‘historic’ Reparations Office as Advocates Regroup from 5 Newsom Vetoes

October 29, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed some reparations-related legislation while vetoing others, prompting lawmakers and advocates to reassess their strategy for achieving reparative justice for Black Californians. Approved measures include establishing a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery and funding genealogical research, while vetoed bills addressed college admission priorities and property restitution for racially motivated eminent domain. The California Legislative Black Caucus introduced these measures based on recommendations from the state's Reparations Task Force, which documented California's history of racial discrimination.

Who is affected

Black Californians and descendants of enslaved people in America
California Legislative Black Caucus members, including Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson
California State University system
Members of California's Reparations Task Force, including Lisa Holder
Reparations advocacy groups like Coalition for a Just and Equitable California
College applicants who are descendants of enslaved people
Victims of racially motivated eminent domain

What action is being taken

The California Legislative Black Caucus is regrouping to determine how to move forward with reparations efforts
A Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery is being created under California's Civil Rights Department
The California State University system is conducting research on methods for verifying descendants of enslaved people
The caucus plans to regroup in a couple of weeks to discuss its direction for 2026

Why it matters

This represents California's first-in-the-nation systematic effort to address centuries of racial harm through government-sanctioned reparations. The establishment of a formal bureau and research funding creates governmental infrastructure for potential future reparative benefits, marking a significant step in the long struggle for reparations since emancipation. However, the vetoes highlight ongoing legal and fiscal challenges, particularly regarding Proposition 209, which prohibits state institutions from considering race in their operations. The outcome will influence how other states approach reparations and determine whether California can create legally sustainable programs that provide meaningful repair for historical injustices.

What's next

The California Legislative Black Caucus plans to regroup in a couple of weeks to discuss its direction for 2026
Lawmakers will review veto messages to determine if different approaches can solve the problems identified in vetoed bills
Advocates plan to recraft and restyle vetoed bills to make them stronger against legal attacks
Coalition for a Just and Equitable California plans to offer alternative pathways rooted in community-formulated solutions

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