We are happy to share some exciting news with you today. On October 13th, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoedAB 7 (college admissions preferences for descendants of slavery), AB 57 (affordable housing for descendants of slaves), AB 62 (racially motivated eminent domain), AB 742 (licensing board application preferences for descendants of slaves). Along with ACA 7, which was stopped in the state legislature, we have managed to defeat five of eight reparations-themed bills introduced in this legislative session!

This victory is a result of collaboration among multiple stakeholders including you! CFER Executive Vice President Professor Gail Heriot led a postcard lobby campaign to urge state lawmakers and the governor to reject these bills. Ms. Brita Lindstrom of San Diego greatly assisted in that initiative. Thanks to the tireless efforts by the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) and CFER, the sole voices of opposition against race-based reparations registered with the State Government and featured in the news for the opposition, these divisive and potentially unconstitutional proposals are prevented from becoming state law. During CFER’s State Capitol tour to Sacramento in February, CFER was joined by Greg Burt of the California Family Council and PLF’s Andrew Quinio in testifying against AB 7, ACA 7, AB 57 and other similar legislation. Last but not least, we also owe this hard-fought success to many of our supporters, including you, who have contacted your state representatives and the Governor’s office to voice concerns.

We must be encouraged by this development, especially in California, where state policymaking is dominated by one party. Looking back even in recent history, when state bills favoring racial spoils were fast-tracked into legislation at around 2020, today’s triumph is not just a result of changing circumstances, but more importantly due to our long-term advocacy amidst formidable challenges. We could have not built this growing track record of confronting and defeating illiberal policies at the state and local levels without your support. So, please allow me to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude.

However, the battle for equality is far from over, as the movement for reparations in California goes on. Three other reparations bills, - SB 510 (racial history education), SB 518 (Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery), and SB 437 ($6,000,000 for the California State University to conduct research for reparations), were signed into law. Even in his AB 7 veto message, Governor Newsom deferred to universities and colleges for their “authority to determine whether to provide admissions preferences.” As you can see, all these successfully codified bills share a similar pattern of expending taxpayer money on research and education, which makes it hard to argue they’re unconstitutional. On the contrary, those that were vetoed focused on the implementation of reparations, which made the State of California vulnerable for legal scrutiny. PLF and CFER were ready to take legal actions against them and we are still ready and willing to do so regarding future state bills.

While we rightfully celebrate the end of five particularly egregious reparation bills, CFER is resolved to continue to monitor future policy developments following the passage of SB 510, SB 518 and SB 437. We will not stop being watchful. We will not retreat in complacency.

If you are encouraged by CFER’s work, can I please ask you to make a kind donation today so that we can press on?

Thank you warmly!