New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is remaining silent days after lawmakers sent a bill to her desk that would begin the process of the Empire State considering reparations as a way to make amends for slavery.
The state legislature passed a bill last week that would create a commission to study the effects of slavery and racial discrimination in New York and make recommendations for potential reparations, such as restitution payments from the government. The commission’s recommendations would be non-binding, meaning the legislature would decide whether to take them up for a vote.
However, Hochul needs to sign the bill into law in order to establish the commission. The governor hasn’t commented publicly on the reparations legislation and didn’t respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment seeking her thoughts and plans on the matter. She is reportedly reviewing the bill.
According to the legislation, Hochul and legislative leaders from the state Senate and Assembly would each appoint three qualified members to the nine-member commission, which beyond slavery would also address lingering economic, political and educational disparities experienced by Black people in New York state.Â
NEW YORK LAWMAKERS APPROVE BILL CREATING STATE REPARATIONS COMMISSION
“We want to make sure we are looking at slavery and its legacies,” said state Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, a Democrat, before the floor debate. “This is about beginning the process of healing our communities. There still is generational trauma that people are experiencing. This is just one step forward.”
The commission would be required to deliver a report within one year after its first meeting.Â
Meanwhile, the New York City Council is considering new legislation introduced last week that would implement more localized reparations in what proponents say is aimed at “rectifying” historical “injustices.”
At the state level, if Hochul signs the bill into law, New York would be the second state to establish a reparations…
Read the full article here
