Maryland's Wes Moore, the country's only sitting black governor, vetoes reparations bill

Maryland Democrat Gov. Wes Moore has vetoed a reparations commission bill passed by the state legislature, saying it was "not the time for another study," but it "is the time for continued action."

Moore, the country's only black governor, wrote his veto letter on Friday regarding the bill that would have created a commission to study and recommend reparations for slavery and racial discrimination, The Hill news outlet reported.

Reparations are generally defined as measures taken by the state to address past human rights violations and are typically associated with black Americans whose ancestors came to America as slaves. 

The list of potential reparations included official statements of apology, financial compensation, debt forgiveness and tuition payment waivers for higher education, and assistance with making a down payment on a home.

"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," the letter by Moore reads.

"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."

The governor also noted that Maryland already has several commissions, including 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. 

Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus has condemned Moore’s veto.

“At a time when the White House and Congress are actively targeting Black communities, dismantling diversity initiatives, and using harmful coded language, Governor Moore had a chance to show the country and the world that here in Maryland we boldly and courageously recognize our painful history and the urgent need to address it,” the caucus said in the statement. 

“Instead, the State’s first Black governor chose to block this historic legislation that would have moved the state toward directly repairing the harm of enslavement.”