The discussion centered on whether it is fair for Asian and Latino Californians to contribute to slavery reparations for African-Americans. The topic has drawn attention as part of a broader initiative by California Democrats to develop proposals addressing historical injustices against descendants of American slaves.
Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, a Republican from Santa Margarita, said during the hearing that economists estimate the proposal could cost $800 billion. “That’s two and a half times the size of our entire state budget,” Sanchez said. “To pay for that, you’d need a major tax hike unlike anything this state has ever seen before. I recognize and acknowledge the painful part of our history. The pains of the past should not be paid by the people of today.” She also noted that Latinos and Asians make up 55% of California’s population, including many first- or second-generation immigrants who she said had no connection to slavery or related discriminatory laws. “It is fundamentally unfair to force these people to pay for this,” Sanchez said.
San Jose Democratic Assemblyman Ash Kalra responded by denying that reparations would require an $800 billion payment from the state budget. Kalra called compensation for descendants of slaves “necessary.” According to Kalra, “The reality is that actions are necessary, and that includes reparations. It includes, in some cases, monetary reparations. I understand that it’s hard to ask those of us currently sitting in the legislature to make those commitments, but no one asked Black families over generations if it was okay to take their wealth, if it was okay to enslave them, if it was okay to— If it was okay to put their children in generations of poverty. This country became a superpower based upon free labor of African descendants over hundreds of years. We need to recognize it. It’s not supposed to be easy to actually admit when you’ve caused pain.” Kalra became emotional during his remarks.
After debate concluded, the committee voted 9-3 along party lines in favor of advancing SB 1331. The proposal is one among four reparations bills under consideration by California legislators.
