NY Reparations Commission: A $5 Million Extension and Potential Delays

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a one-year extension for the state's reparations commission, allocating an additional $5 million to its budget. This controversial panel is tasked with investigating potential payouts to Black New Yorkers for historical injustices stemming from slavery and discrimination. The extension could significantly delay the commission's report on potential actions, potentially pushing back any recommendations for addressing these inequalities.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/2020-rashid-umar-abbasi-nypostinhouse-12312515.jpg?w=1024" alt="A group wearing Malcom X white T shirts protest at Columbus Circle demanding reparations for slavery of Black peopleManhattan, New York, U.S., August 15, 2020.">

The Cost of Delay

The budget document states that the $5 million will fund the commission's work into Fiscal Year 2026. This decision has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about the potential cost and the delay in addressing crucial issues of racial inequality.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/2026-executive-state-budget-red-97096326.jpg?w=1024" alt="New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, presents her 2026 executive state budget in the Red Room at the state Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Albany, N.Y.">

Comparisons and Criticisms

Hochul's approval of the commission follows a similar initiative in California, where a proposed $800 billion payment plan for reparations sparked controversy. Critics argue that New York, with a larger Black population and a smaller budget than California, faces even greater challenges in implementing such a program.

The commission has also faced internal debate regarding the scope of reparations. Some activists advocate for including Afro-Caribbean and African immigrants, a significant population in NYC, who also experience the lasting impacts of slavery's legacy. This internal conflict highlights the complex political and social dynamics surrounding the issue of reparations.

Other Budgetary Highlights

Hochul's budget includes other significant spending proposals that have also been met with mixed reactions:

<table> <tr> <th>Proposal</th> <th>Cost</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Inflation refund checks</td> <td>**$3B**</td> </tr> <tr> <td>City of Yes! zoning initiative</td> <td>**$1B**</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Middle class tax cuts</td> <td>**$1B/year**</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Free school meals</td> <td>**$120M/year**</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Child tax credit</td> <td>**$800M/year for three years**</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Extension of film tax credit</td> <td>**$700M/year**</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Grants for pool renovations</td> <td>**$200M**</td> </tr> <tr> <td>State museum and Albany revitalization</td> <td>**$400M**</td> </tr> </table><img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/nys-reparations-committee-came-together-97096326.jpg?w=1024" alt="The NYS Reparations Committee came together for their first public meeting to discuss their strategies to address reparations for the descendants of enslaved people in New York. July 30, 2024">

Political Fallout

The decision to extend the reparations commission has been criticized by some, including State Senator George Borrello, who views it as a costly distraction from more pressing issues. The political debate surrounding the commission is likely to continue as the process unfolds.