Hochul Proposes Giving New York’s Reparations Commission Another $5 Million Even as Panel Blows Past Initial Deadline

Already behind schedule, a New York state commission studying the prospect of paying reparations to atone for the evils of slavery is asking for more time and money so it can keep studying the subject.  The commission, which was given a one-year timeframe to complete its work, held its first meeting in July 2024 and has another meeting scheduled for February 15. The panel is supposed to study the impacts of slavery and discrimination and then present a series of proposals for the governor and legislature to consider. However, the panel’s members now say they need more time and more money — about $5 million — to be able to continue their work. Governor Hochul added a line in her budget plan unveiled last week that says, “The State is providing $5 million in funding to the Commission to continue its work in Fiscal Year 2026.” The commission’s president, Seanelle Hawkins, told Spectrum News 1 that its work is only beginning. She blamed the delays on the state’s hiring process and said there are still positions on the board that have yet to be filled. “In order to represent a quality report, we will need more time, and most importantly,...