Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) defended California‘s reparations task force while also saying reparations do not have to “be in the frame of writing a check.”
Newsom addressed the proposed $1.4 million reparations payments while speaking on Fox News’s Hannity on Monday.
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“Ronald Reagan did reparations for the Japanese. It’s beyond — doesn’t have to be in the frame of writing a check,” Newsom said. “Reparations comes in many different forms, but one cannot deny these historical facts, and I really strongly believe people have to come to grips.”
When asked by Sean Hannity if he “understood” that those paying for the reparations would be people who had no connection to slavery, Newsom said he understood that was the case if the payments were to be approved.
“Deeply understand that. I deeply understand. Do the math on the $1.4 [million],” Newsom said. “You had a group the last two years that is making series of recommendations. That is one of many recommendations. You guys ran with that — over and over and over again.”
When pressed by Hannity if he would support the up to $1.4 million reparation payments, he continued to insist that the recommendations from the task force are about “more than just money.”
“I put out a statement saying reparations is more than just about money,” Newsom said. “That implies a deeper rationalization of what is achievable, what is reasonable, and what is right, and that is the balance that we will try to advance.”
California’s reparations task force approved an estimated $800 billion plan to give black residents reparations last month, among other proposals. The final report of the plan is due to the Golden State’s legislature next month, when lawmakers will decide if they will send the proposal to Newsom’s desk.
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However, the payment proposal faces an uncertain future because the state is dealing with a $31.5 billion budget deficit, meaning various programs could be cut this year and beyond.
Newsom will likely have the final say in whether the various proposals in the plan become law, whether it is signing a bill passed by the legislature or via executive action.
