ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore has vetoed a bill to establish a commission tasked with studying and proposing reparations for slavery and racial discrimination. Governor Moore stated in his veto letter that his decision comes after careful consideration of the numerous existing commissions dedicated to examining the history and impact of slavery in Maryland.
Among the commissions cited by Moore are the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the State Commission to Coordinate the Study, Commemoration, and Impact of the History and Legacy of Slavery in Maryland. He emphasized his commitment to acknowledging and preserving the history of African Americans, stating in his letter, “I will always protect and defend the full history of African Americans in our state and country.”
Rather than focusing on further study, Moore urged immediate action to address racial disparities. He highlighted key areas such as closing the racial wealth gap, expanding homeownership opportunities, supporting entrepreneurs of color, and tackling inequalities in areas like education and food security.
Moore also pointed to the recent rise in Black political representation in Maryland, including the election of Senator Angela Alsobrooks, the state’s first Black female senator. He noted the state has a Black attorney general, Black state House Speaker and Black treasurer, and emphasized the importance of building upon this progress through continued action.
He stated, “We have moved in partnership with leaders across the state to uplift Black families and address racial disparities in our communities.”
The bill, a priority for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, outlined a range of potential reparations, including formal apologies, financial compensation, homeownership assistance, debt forgiveness, and tuition waivers for higher education. The bill passed the state House with a 101-36 vote last month.
Governor Moore’s full letter can be viewed online here (PDF).
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo via the Maryland Governor’s Office
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