CA Legislative Black Caucus Blocks Reparations Proposals – Reparations Task Force Leader Calls Action ‘Unconscionable,’ ‘Complete Betrayal’

By Andrea Bernal SACRAMENTO, CA – The leader of California’s Reparations Task Force has criticized California’s Legislative Black Caucus after it blocked the California Assembly here at the Capitol from voting on two reparations proposals, “including SB 1403 to establish a reparations agency and SB 1331 to establish a reparations fund.” According to a recent article by KCRA 3—Saturday, the final night of the legislative session—the Black Caucus announced it would not bring the two reparations proposals, SB 1403 and SB 1331, up for final votes in the Assembly. Tension arose among members of the caucus which KCRA 3 notes “flared into late Saturday night” because of the last minute decision. KCRA 3 further points out that Democratic State Senator Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles) had written the bills and even claimed the caucus was “scared of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto after Bradford refused to accept changes to SB 1403 proposed by the governor’s office.” However, according to KCRA 3, Lori Wilson (D-Fairfield), Caucus leader and Democratic Assemblymember, denied Bradford’s statement and claimed that the bills “didn’t have enough votes.” KCRA 3 notes Bill Essayli, Republican Assemblyman from Riverside, attempted to “force a vote on one of the measures” which ultimately...