Calif. moves bills for reparations as RFK Jr. pitches payments for Black farmers

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE TOPIC OF REPARATIONS IS BACK IN THE HEADLINES THIS WEEK.

FROM COAST-TO-COAST LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING AT THE SENSITIVE ISSUE AND HEARING FROM MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

AND ONE LONG-SHOT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IS BETTING –

IT’LL PROPEL HIM TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

ROBERT F KENNEDY JUNIOR SAYS HE’LL SUPPORT GIVING BLACK FARMERS $5-BILLION DOLLARS IN REPARATIONS IF HE’S ELECTED PRESIDENT. 

WHILE SPEAKING WITH JOHN BOYD JUNIOR, THE FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION – ON HIS PODCAST, KENNEDY SAID “WHEN I’M IN THE WHITE HOUSE… I’M GOING TO GET RID OF THOSE PEOPLE IN USDA AND GET THAT MONEY.” KENNEDY SAID THAT MONEY WAS STOLEN FROM BLACK FARMERS THROUGH DISCRIMINATION.

HOWEVER – KENNEDY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE GOOD ON THAT PROMISE:

FIRST — HIS CHANCES OF WINNING IN NOVEMBER ARE SLIM. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT BIDEN ARE RUNNING “NECK-AND-NECK” – WITH BIDEN AT 48% SUPPORT AND TRUMP AT 47% — ACCORDING TO A QUINNIPIAC POLL RELEASED EARLIER THIS WEEK. LEAVING VERY LITTLE SPACE FOR RFK JR TO MAKE INROADS.

AND NUMBER TWO – THE COURTS ALREADY RULED  A SIMILAR PROVISION IN BIDEN’S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021  unconstitutional. The provision would’ve given SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS WHO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO RACIAL OR ETHNIC PREJUDICE — $5-BILLION DOLLARS.

A FEDERAL JUDGE CALLING THE PROVISION A “RACE-BASED DISCRIMINATORY PROGRAM.”

HOWEVER – SOME STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE DEVELOPING THEIR OWN REPARATIONS TASK FORCES AND DRAWING UP BILLS.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS INTRODUCED A package of REPARATIONS BILLS – AFTER RECEIVING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CALIFORNIA’S REPARATIONS TASK FORCE.

AND THIS WEEK THE CALIFORNIA SENATE PASSED THREE OF THEM. THE BILLS WOULD COMPENSATE FAMILIES THAT LOST PROPERTIES IN RACIALLY MOTIVATED EMINENT DOMAIN CASES, CREATE A FUND FOR REPARATIONS, AND ORDER THE REPARATIONS TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAMS.

THESE CALIFORNIA SENATE BILLS NOW HEAD TO THE ASSEMBLY FOR A VOTE. 

MEANWHILE – OTHER CITIES AND STATES ARE JUST BEGINNING TO LOOK INTO REPARATIONS FOR BLACK AMERICANS.

BOSTON AND PHILADELPHIA LAUNCHED REPARATION TASK FORCES TO ALSO DEVELOP PROPOSALS FOR PEOPLE WHOSE ANCESTORS WERE ENSLAVED AND ENDURED RACISM IN THE UNITED STATES.

ILLINOIS AND NEW YORK HAVE ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION TO STUDY REPARATIONS.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR…

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