Maryland's bill to establish a committee to study compensation, including financial reparations, is moving forward as it is expected to clear the final hurdle in the House.
The bill, a priority for Maryland's Legislative Black Caucus, passed the Senate mid-month before last month's Crossover Day.
The bill received a favorable vote in a House committee allocated on Friday, WBFF reported. It is expected to be voted in full house before the legislative meeting is postponed next week.
Senate minority Republican Whip Justin Reddy told WBFF he doesn't understand why the compensation bill is underway as the state faces a $3.3 billion deficit.
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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore tried to avoid a question about whether he supports a proposal to establish a committee to study reparations. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“We don't have the money to explore these options, periods at the moment,” Lady told the outlet. “[T]He issued the issue of compensation and I'm sure I'm certainly drawing strong opinions, but in reality it's financially unfeasible whether you think it's a good idea or not. ”
“We are questioning whether using taxpayer money is appropriate in this context,” he added. “Even when reparations were paid to Holocaust survivors, they chased the companies involved, not after the taxpayers.”
The proposed committee is expected to initially cost Maryland taxpayers $54,500 a year, according to the non-partisan Maryland State Department of Legislative Services.
Similar Reparations Committees were created by the state governments of California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and Illinois.
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Similar Reparations Committees were created by the state governments of California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and Illinois. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Last year, the California Reparation Task Force published a report following a two-year study in which the state issued a formal apology for slavery and other racial injustice and was sought by the state to provide financial payments. The report recommended a financial recovery ceremony, which offers up to $1.2 million each to eligible recipients, although state lawmakers have not yet voted to approve the initial payment.
Democrat Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has dodged questions about his state bill since it was introduced in January. He was asked at the time whether he supported the measure, but turned his focus into an economic prioritization.
“No, we're going to work together with the Maryland Legislature across the entire collection of various issues,” Moore told WBFF at the time. “Our focus is economic progress. Our focus is economic growth. We are able to meet people where they are and make life more affordable. Modernisation of the state government.”
The governor was asked about the issue again during his visit to celebrate the Baltimore Orioles home opener at Pickle Pub on Monday afternoon. WBFF tried to talk to him, but the request was denied. The outlet reached into the governor's office after appearing in the pub, but his spokesman's responses did not address questions about the compensation bill.
The proposed committee is expected to initially cost Maryland taxpayers $54,500 a year. (AP Photo/Steeble Ark)
Ready told WBFF that the bill could harm the National Anterness Moore has received over the past year.
“I don't think Governor Moore wants this on his desk.[T]Some may be motivated in one way or another, but many of them are in the fringes. ”
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If the law is in its current form, the committee must provide a preliminary report by January 1, 2027 and a final report by November 1, 2027.
