Nation’s Sole Black Governor Vetoes Reparations Bill

Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced Friday that he vetoed a bill that would have created a commission to study and recommend potential reparations for people impacted by slavery and racial discrimination in his state.

Moore, the nation’s only currently serving black governor and the third African American elected to lead a state in American history, wrote in a letter that his decision to veto the reparations bill was a “difficult” one, claiming he believes Maryland has sufficiently studied the impact of slavery. The governor added that he believes his state needs to focus on addressing issues such as “the racial wealth gap, expanding homeownership, uplifting entrepreneurs of color, and closing the foundational disparities that lead to inequality” instead of looking into potential reparations.

“I will always protect and defend the full history of African Americans in our state and country,” Moore wrote in his letter. “But in light of the many important studies that have taken place on this issue over nearly three decades, now is the time to focus on the work itself: Narrowing the racial wealth gap, expanding homeownership, uplifting entrepreneurs of color, and closing the foundational disparities that lead to inequality — from food insecurity to education.”

“We have moved in partnership with leaders across the state to uplift Black families and address racial disparities in our communities,” Moore wrote further. “That is the context in which I’ve made this difficult decision. Because while I appreciate the work that went into this legislation, I strongly believe now is not the time for another study. Now is the time for continued action that delivers results for the people we serve.”

The bill to create the study, which Maryland’s state House passed with a 101-36 vote in April, outlined a variety of potential reparations, including official statements of apology, financial compensation, college tuition waivers, social service assistance and property tax rebates.

“The governor is my friend,” said Democratic Maryland State Sen. C. Anthony Muse, who sponsored the Senate version of the reparations bill, WTOP reported. “I think a lot of him, but I am every disappointed in him today. I’m very disappointed that something like this, that black communities across the country have been asking for, it’s turned down in our state.”

Though Moore has signaled that he does not intend to run for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, he is widely viewed as a potential top contender in the race.

“I am clear — I’m not running,” Moore told Politico in an interview published May 2. “But what I am doing is running to make sure that Maryland really is going to have the most explosive decade that it’s had at any time in recent history.”

Moore’s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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