Reparations Supporters Turn On Black Caucus Following Newsom’s Veto Decisions

Over recent legislative sessions, Governor Gavin Newsom ratified 11 of the 30 reparations-centric proposals brought forth by the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). Yet last month, he vetoed five crucial bills amid a larger set of 16 introduced this year as part of the CLBC's “Road to Repair.”Critics among advocates, already discontent with the selected bills, expressed minimal surprise at the vetoes, urging legislative representatives to incorporate community insights in future proposals. Cheryce Cryer, a Los Angeles-based attorney and reparations advocate, emphasized the need for more substantial communication to ensure that proposed legislation is equitable and effective.Cryer applauded CLBC member Sen. Laura Richardson for her collaboration on Senate Bill 515, mandating refined demographic data collection in local government. Notably, among the vetoed measures were initiatives aimed at delivering direct support, such as housing and educational aid for ancestors of enslaved individuals. The CLBC intends to regroup and strategize for renewed legislative efforts in 2026.