New York City Council members on Thursday passed a controversial bill that would create a reparations task force in New York City, a measure that could lead to proposals to spend billions of dollars of taxpayer money in reparations for slavery and racial injustice.
The bill passed the full City Council on Thursday by a vote of 41-8, with sponsor Councilwoman Farrah Lewis (D-Brooklyn) calling it a “monumental step” to make amends for “injustices that have plagued our society for centuries.”
“This is about morality and justice, equality and fairness,” Louis said.
Rep. David Carr (R-Staten Island), one of the eight senators who voted against the bill, told The Washington Post that the idea that taxpayers would have to pay for reparations was “insulting.”
“No one currently living in our city had any connection to the evils of slavery, and the vast majority of New Yorkers are descendants of immigrants who arrived after slavery was abolished,” he said.
Rep. Robert Holden (D-Queens) said the bill was a “Pandora's box” that would lead to “an endless parade of historical grievances.”
“Taxpayers are tired of being squeezed for pennies at every turn,” he added.
The bill mandates spending $1.5 million for the nine-member task force's work, but it doesn't say who would pay for it.
The group will study “the impact of slavery and past injustices on African Americans in New York City” and determine whether monetary or non-monetary reparations are warranted.
This could lead to calls for huge taxpayer-funded payouts, as has been seen in other jurisdictions that have conducted similar compensation investigations.
San Francisco established its own African American Reparations Advisory Committee and last year He offered a lump sum of $5 million. The money will be given to every black resident of the city. The Hill estimates that California's payment could be as much as $175 billion.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed The idea was rejected..
California has also created a task force to review reparations statewide.
The final report did not offer any proposed payment amounts, but experts questioned by lawmakers said: $800 billion.
Louis' bill would give the task force 12 months to make its recommendations.
During that time, the unpaid special committee will meet, hold public hearings and receive administrative assistance from city agencies designated by the mayor.
The task force's members would be selected by the mayor and the chairman. Adams' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether he supports the bill.
The bill was one in a series of bills passed aimed at alleviating racial injustice.
