By Baltimore, Maryland
May 2025
In a decision that has sparked widespread debate, Maryland Governor Wes Moore on Friday vetoed a bill that would have established a commission to study reparations for slavery, asserting that the time for study has passed and the focus should now shift to tangible action.
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The proposed legislation, a top priority of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, sought to create a state commission to explore potential avenues for reparations. These included formal apologies, monetary compensation, property tax rebates, social services, tuition and childcare assistance, debt forgiveness, and incentives for homeownership and entrepreneurship. Despite the bill’s strong backing in both chambers of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly—with a 101-36 vote in the House and a 32-13 vote in the Senate—Governor Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor and the only Black governor currently serving in the United States, opted to reject it.
In a veto letter released Friday, Moore acknowledged the significance of the legislation and the extensive work of lawmakers and advocates. However, he emphasized that Maryland has already conducted numerous studies on the legacy of slavery over the past three decades.
“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 entrepreneurs of color, and closing the foundational disparities that lead to inequality — from food insecurity to education,” Moore wrote.
The governor pointed to past initiatives, such as 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, as evidence that the state has already undertaken considerable scholarly and governmental efforts to understand the enduring effects of slavery.
“The scholarship on this topic is both vast in scope and robust in scale,” Moore added. “And 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.”
Governor Moore also framed his decision within the broader context of rising Black political leadership in Maryland. He cited the recent elections of Angela Alsobrooks as the state’s first Black U.S. senator, along with the current Black attorney general, House speaker, and state treasurer, as signs of political progress and institutional change.
“We have moved in partnership with leaders across the state to uplift Black families and address racial disparities in our communities,” Moore wrote. “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 veto drew swift and strong criticism from the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, which expressed profound disappointment. With 66 members, it is the largest Black caucus in any state legislature in the nation.
“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 a 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.”
Though the legislative session concluded last month, the margins by which the bill passed suggest that lawmakers could override the veto when they reconvene—either during the next 90-day session in January or sooner, should a special session be called.
David Schuhlein, a spokesman for Senate President Bill Ferguson, responded to the vetoes by stating, “The Senate will closely evaluate each veto from the Governor’s Office and have more details on possible action in the near future.”
House Speaker Adrienne Jones, a Democrat and one of the state’s high-ranking Black officials, acknowledged the veto in a statement that emphasized ongoing commitment to racial equity:
“I am proud of all our work during the 2025 session and grateful to lead a state that has always put these issues at the forefront of our policy discussions. The work is not done, and I remain committed to working alongside all our partners to continue righting historical inequities.”
Maryland’s debate echoes similar efforts across the nation. Last year, California lawmakers advanced groundbreaking legislation addressing historical racial injustices, including the return of seized land and formal state apologies. While no broad monetary reparations were enacted, California’s initiative marked one of the most ambitious efforts nationwide. New York City also passed a bill in 2023 to study its own historical ties to slavery and the potential for reparations.
As the national conversation on reparations continues to evolve, Maryland’s rejection of the commission bill highlights a critical tension between the call for study and the demand for immediate, measurable progress. Governor Moore’s veto underscores a broader philosophical debate: whether comprehensive justice is best achieved through further exploration of history, or through direct intervention in present-day inequities.
