The Maryland State Legislature has passed SB 587 that would establish a statewide commission to study the viability of reparations in Maryland. We are grateful for the work of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland for making this a priority and working to get this done.

Sinclair Broadcasting has done stories discouraging public support for this bill on the basis that the commission would exacerbate the budget crisis. This is misleading because the cost of the work of the commission itself is minuscule. The recommendations produced by this commission would not be presented to the legislature until 2027, and the bill contemplates the commission considering things like “official statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax rebates, social service assistance, licensing and permit fee waivers and reimbursement, down payment assistance for the purchase of residential real property, business incentives, child care, debt forgiveness, and higher education tuition payment waivers and reimbursement.”

This means that there are a variety of measures that the commission will be able to offer that are actionable in spite of the current fiscal challenges.