On 4.25.2023, the Economic and Community Development Committee of the Baltimore City Council held a voting session on legislation that will create the Community Reinvestment and Reparations Commission (Bill 23-0353).
Background:
During the 2022 MD Legislative Session – with the passage of HB 837 – this led to the creation of a statewide Community Repair and Reinvestment Fund.
We successfully demanded that the state give reparations to communities impacted by the so-called “War on Drugs”. The fund will be financially supported by tax revenues – not less than 30 percent of the total revenues – from the sale of recreational cannabis.Every county in Maryland will eventually have to pass an ordinance that will determine how they spend their portion of the Community Repair and Reinvestment Fund. Baltimore City will be the first jurisdiction to implement its reparations commission.