$5 million for Reparations Commission in New York’s Budget, local input part of process

Albany — The newly formed New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies, signed into law in December 2023, will be given $5,000,000 to conduct its work. The nine-member Commission is expected to examine the lasting impact of slavery for individuals past and present in the State of New York. They then will issue a report of recommendations for action, of which will then head to the Governor and legislature. “I think New York can take the leadership here and develop a good road map,” Dr. Alice Green of Albany’s Center for Law and Justice says. Organizations like Green’s will be a part of the Commission’s process, gathering information about experiences of the impacted individuals. “We’re in the process of planning a series of discussions and also projects that will educate people about that, and also to teach people in the community about our legal system, our policing system, our court system, so they’ll be much more involved in coming up with ways to change the system,” Dr. Green says. After some debate among Democrats, the FY2025 Enacted Budget has allocated $5 million for the commission to conduct its work. The bill text says members shall receive no compensation, but...