NYC Council pass bill to create task force to study reparations for black residents
City lawmakers passed a controversial bill Thursday to create a reparations task force in New York City — which could lead to proposals to spend billions in taxpayer money as compensation for slavery and racial injustice.
The legislation was approved 41-8 before the full council on Thursday, with its sponsor, Council Member Farah Louis (D-Brooklyn), calling it a “monumental step” to pay back “injustices that have plagued our society for centuries.”
“This is a matter of morality and justice, equality and equity,” Louis said.
Among the 8 lawmakers who voted against the bill, David Carr (R-Staten Island) told The Post that the idea of taxpayers having to pay reparations is “insulting.”
“No one currently living in our city had anything to do with the evils of slavery and the vast majority of New Yorkers are descendants of immigrants who came after it was abolished,” he said.
Robert Holden (D-Queens) said the legislation is a “Pandora’s box” that will lead to an “endless parade of historical grievances.”
“Taxpayers have had enough of being nickeled and dimed at every turn,” he added.
The legislation — that mandates $1.5 million to pay for the nine-member task force’s work — did not say who would foot the bill.
The group will examine the “impact of slavery and past injustices for African Americans in New York City” and determine what, if any, monetary or nonmonetary reparations are necessary.
This could lead to a call for massive payout funded by taxpayers, as seen in other areas that have done similar reparations studies.
San Francisco established its own African American Reparations Advisory Committee, which last year proposed paying $5 million lump-sum payments to each Black city resident. The Hill estimated California’s payouts could cost $175 billion.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed nixed that idea.
The state of California also had a task force study statewide reparations.
The final report did not come up with a suggested payout, but experts questioned by legislators said it could cost as much as $800 billion.
Louis’ bill will give the task force 12 months to make its recommendations.
During that time the unpaid taskforce would meet and hold public hearings while receiving administrative support from a city agency designated by the mayor.
Task force members would be chosen by the mayor and the Speaker. Mayor’s Adams office did not immediately respond to request for comment on if he supported the bill.
The legislation was among a package of bills that passed aimed at relieving racial injustice.
“New York City has a moral obligation to confront its historical role in the institution of slavery, including harms and long-lasting consequences,” a spokesperson told The Post.
“This is another crucial step towards addressing systemic inequities, fostering reconciliation, and creating a more just and equitable future for all New Yorkers.”
