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.”