Maryland to consider slavery reparations after Gov. Wes Moore’s veto is overridden

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland will create a commission to study potential reparations for slavery after lawmakers voted Tuesday to override a veto by Gov. Wes Moore — currently the nation's only Black governor — that disappointed many fellow Democrats.

Moore said in his letter of veto in May that it was difficult to make the decision to veto a bill that had been priority Maryland Legislative Black Caucus. But he wrote that the legacy of slavery had been studied enough that it was now time to “turn our focus back to the work itself” to address the issue.

But Democrats who control both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly decided a commission was needed to better study how to do it.

“This is a complex topic, but again, without formal study, reparations risk being dismissed as symbolic or unconstitutional, regardless of moral merit,” said Sen. Charles Sydnor, a Democrat.

After his veto was overridden, Moore said that while he disagreed with the legislature's decision, “I am committed to moving forward in partnership on the repair work that we all agree is a pressing and pressing need.”

“I believe now is the time to act – and we must move forward with repairs immediately,” Moore said in a statement. “This mission is especially important given the immediate and ongoing impact of this federal administration on our constituents, including communities that have historically been left behind.”

Possible remedies set out in check include formal statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax rebates, public assistance, and waivers and refunds of licensing and permitting fees. Compensations may also include down payment assistance on a home, business incentives, child care, debt forgiveness and higher education tuition waivers.

Maryland's black population is about 30%, the highest percentage of any state outside the Deep South.

Support for reparations increased after murder of George Floyd Minneapolis Police Officer of the Year in 2020. But the issue is complex, especially for senior Democrats, and comes amid a broader conservative reaction about how race, history, and inequality are addressed in public institutions.

“At a time of growing attacks on diversity and equity, today’s actions reaffirm our shared commitment to truth, accountability and meaningful progress for Black Marylanders,” the Legislative Black Caucus said in a statement.

In October, California Governor Gavin Newsome presented a mixed picture to supporters of bills aimed at combating racist and discriminatory policies against African Americans. He signed the law giving $6 million to California State University to study how to confirm a person's status as a descendant of an enslaved person. But he vetoed other bills that the California Legislature's Caucus Black Caucus championed as a tool to redeem the state's history.

Newsom, who is considering run for president 2028 signed legislation last year to formally apologize for slavery and its lingering effects on black Californians.

Moore has said he has no plans to run for president in 2028, but he continues to cultivate a national image that has drawn the attention of experts as a potential White House contender.

New York legislators approved legislation last year to examine the city's significant role in slavery and consider reparations for the descendants of enslaved people.

In 2021, Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, became the first US city create a reparations plan for its Black residents using tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales.

Until a few years ago, Americans viewed the prospect of reparations largely negatively. A 2021 Pew Research Center poll found that only about 3 in 10 American adults said the descendants of people enslaved in the U.S. should be repaid in some way, such as by providing land or money. About 7 in 10 said these descendants should not be compensated.

Maryland lawmakers did not discuss congressional redistricting during their one-day special session. Moore has expressed interest in developing a new map, which could emerge when lawmakers convene in January for their annual 90-day session. However, the state Senate president said he does not support moving forward with the new map. Democrats have a 7-1 advantage over Republicans in the state's eight congressional districts.