Maryland Gov Wes Moore vetoes reparations bill

"I applaud the legislature’s work on this bill, and I thank the Black Caucus for their leadership," Moore wrote in a Friday letter to Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson. "Maryland is proud to be a state with the largest Black Caucus in America, our first Black Attorney General, our first Black Senator, a Black treasurer, and a Black Speaker of the House. We have moved in partnership with leaders across the state to uplift Black families and address racial disparities in our communities. 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."

Under the bill, the Maryland Reparations Commission would be established to "study and make recommendations relating to appropriate 21 benefits to be offered to individuals impacted by historical inequality," and issue its final report and recommendations to the governor in 2027.

Moore wrote that the state "has launched several commissions and study groups to examine the legacy of slaver in our state" over the last 25 years, adding that "we are grateful for the Marylanders who have contributed their expertise to the vital project of understanding how the legacy of slavery continues to impact Black communities in our state today.

"I will always protect and defend the full history of African Americans in our state and country. 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 wentrepreneurs of color, and closing the foundational disparities that lead to inequality — from food insecurity to education," Moore wrote.

He touted his administration’s record, including awarding over $816 million to black-owned businesses in the state, pardoning 175,000 Marylanders’ cannabis possession convictions, increasing funding for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) by 60 percent, and other moves.

"We’ve made real progress both to undo bad policies of the past and craft good policies that will lead us toward a brighter future. But we understand our work is far from over. Together, we must take urgent action to address the barriers that have walled off Black families in Maryland from work, wages, and wealth for generations. Next session, in consultation with the Maryland General Assembly, I will be introducing a package of policies I believe will help us accelerate our work in achieving these shared goals."

Black faith leaders supported Moore’s veto, echoing his sentiment that there have been enough studies and now was the time to take action. "While important work went into this legislation, now is not the time for another study. Now is the time for continued action that delivers results for the people we serve.," they said in a statement.

The National Black Justice Collective criticized Moore’s veto of the bill, with NBJC CEO Dr. David Johns saying in a statement, "Governor Wes Moore’s veto of Maryland’s reparations bill is not only deeply disappointing — it is a painful rejection of the very communities that helped make his historic election possible. As the first Black governor of Maryland, Gov. Moore had an opportunity to lead with moral clarity, political courage, and historical awareness. Instead, his decision represents a dangerous step backward in the long and necessary march toward racial justice."

SB587 Veto Letter Reparations Study by Hannah Nightingale on Scribd