Overview

• Gov. Wes Moore vetoed Senate Bill 587, which proposed a two-year commission to study reparations for slavery and Jim Crow-era discrimination in Maryland.
• The Legislative Black Caucus, which championed the bill, expressed disappointment and announced its intent to seek a veto override in the next legislative session.
• Moore cited decades of prior studies on racial inequality, stating that the state should now prioritize direct actions to address the racial wealth gap and systemic disparities.
• The bill passed the Maryland General Assembly with veto-proof margins, setting the stage for a potential override when lawmakers reconvene.
• The governor plans to unveil a policy package aimed at closing the racial wealth gap, with a specific announcement expected on Juneteenth.