California Democrats set $12 million toward reparations as state grapples with historic deficit

California allocated $12 million toward reparations for descendants of black slaves as the state wrestles to reconcile its $45 billion budget deficit. The taxpayer funds earmarked for black Californians is included in a budget agreement Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced last week. The governor’s latest budget proposal comes after months of debate over how to resolve the state’s looming deficit and just two years after the Golden State enjoyed a near-$100 billion surplus.  Progressives immediately slammed the governor for not handing out more funds to black people.  “That it is a lowball amount, especially given the amount of harm that was done to black people in this state and for the amount of time that it was done,” Kavon Ward told the Sacramento Bee. Ward is co-founder of Where Is My Land, a group that advocates for black people who claim their land has been lost or stolen. Ward believes $12 million is what should be given to one person. A rally in support of reparations for black people in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Top California Democrats touted the $12 million as a win while agreeing there is more work to be done. State Sen. Steven Bradford celebrated the...