Maryland to consider slavery reparations

Maryland lawmakers voted Tuesday to override Gov. Wes Moore’s veto and create a commission to study potential reparations for slavery.

State of Maryland to Consider Slavery Reparations

The bill creates a 23‑member voluntary commission to review federal, state and local policies from 1877 to 1965, covering the post‑Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras, and to investigate how public and private institutions benefited from discriminatory practices.

The panel will also examine and recommend appropriate reparation options. These could include:

• official apologies
• monetary compensation
• tax rebates
• debt forgiveness
• tuition waivers
• business incentives
• social service aid
• homeownership support

Legislative Black Caucus Pushes Forward on Maryland Reparations

Initially, Moore vetoed the bill, citing in a statement it was a “difficult decision” but felt there was no longer a need to conduct any more studies on the legacy of slavery, and to “focus on the work itself” to address it.

After his veto was overridden, Moore said that while he disagrees with the legislature’s decision, “I am eager to move forward in partnership on the work of repair that we all agree is an urgent and pressing need.”

“I believe the time for action is now and we must continue moving forward with the work of repair immediately,” Moore said in a statement. “That mission is especially vital given the immediate and ongoing effects of this federal administration on our constituents, including communities that have been historically left behind.”

Meanwhile, the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland warned that without formal study, critics may dismiss reparations as symbolic or unconstitutional.

“At a time of growing attacks on diversity and equity, today’s action reaffirms our shared commitment to truth-telling, accountability and meaningful progress for Black Marylanders,” the caucus said.

Demographics and Context

Maryland’s Black population accounts for about 30 percent in the state, the highest outside the Deep South.

Support for reparations gained momentum after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

However, the issue remains politically difficult for high-profile Democrats. This comes amid a broader conservative backlash over how race, history and inequality are addressed in public institutions.

In 2021, Evanston, Illinois became the first U.S. city to create a reparations plan for its Black residents. The city uses tax revenue from the sale of recreational marijuana.