Failure of Reparations Bills Called “Predictable” by California Governor Candidate Sharifah Hardie
As California Governor, I will ensure that these voices are not ignored and that real progress is made in the fight for reparations.
Sharifah Hardie, a leading candidate in the upcoming California gubernatorial race, expressed her lack of surprise at the failure of two key reparations bills to pass the California legislature just hours before the deadline. The bills aimed at addressing the historical injustices faced by Black Californians, Senate Bill 1403 and Senate Bill 1331, failed to secure enough support to move forward.
Senate Bill 1403 and Senate Bill 1331
Two key reparations bills for Black Californians failed to pass in the final hours of the legislative session. Senate Bill 1403 aimed to create the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency. This agency would have handled implementing reparations and determining eligibility. Senate Bill 1331 sought to establish the Fund for Reparations and Reparative Justice. This fund was designed to pay for various forms of reparations over time.
Over the course of two years, the California Reparations Task Force met with the public and experts. They heard testimony about the lasting effects of chattel slavery on Black Americans. Last summer, they released a comprehensive final report. It included over 1,000 pages and more than 100 recommendations. However, neither of the two bills included cash payments for reparations recipients. Additionally, both bills failed to come up for a vote, effectively killing them for the year.
Interestingly, four hours before the deadline, a surprising turn of events occurred. Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli, who opposes cash payments, made a motion to bring one bill to a vote. Despite his efforts, no other assembly member seconded his motion. Therefore, his attempt to put the bill to a vote failed.
Disappointing, Yet Not Surprising
Sharifah Hardie remarked, “While the failure of these bills is disappointing, it is not surprising. This is yet another example of how crucial issues affecting Black Californians continue to be sidelined, even after thorough research and clear recommendations from experts. The fight for reparative justice is far from over, and as Governor, I will ensure that these voices are not ignored and that real progress is made.”
Hardie has long been a proponent of economic and social justice, particularly for the Black community in California. She continues to advocate for meaningful policy changes and solutions that address the inequities rooted in the state’s history of slavery and systemic racism. The collapse of these bills highlights the need for stronger leadership to bring about transformative change.
Support Sharifah Hardie for CA Governor
To support Sharifah Hardie for CA Governor 2026, for more information on Sharifah Hardie’s platform or to schedule an interview, please visit https://www.SharifahHardieForGovernor.com or call (562) 822-0965.
#SharifahHardie2026
#CaliforniaGovernorRace
#ReparativeJustice
#ReparationsForBlackAmericans
#CaliforniaPolitics
#SocialJusticeNow
#EconomicJustice
#ReparationsMovement
#FightForJustice
#SystemicRacism
#BlackCaliforniansMatter
#EquityAndJustice
#PoliticalLeadership
#BlackVoicesMatter
#PolicyChange
#CivilRights
#CaliforniaAssembly
#EndRacism
#TransformativeLeadership
#VoteForChange
#ReparationsNow
#TaskForceForReparations
#EqualRights
#BlackEmpowerment
#LeadershipForJustice
Sharifah Hardie
Sharifah Hardie for CA Governor
+1 562-822-0965
info@sharifahhardieforgovernor.com
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
Discover more from Long Beach Black News Paper Inc. Local Long Beach, CA Black News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.