As Juneteenth approaches, California’s set to release a groundbreaking reparations report

150+ years and counting... Monday marks the second official celebration of Juneteenth in the US, after President Biden declared June 19 a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. On that day, in 1865, troops marched into Texas to take control of the state and free the enslaved people. This year more than half of all states and a growing number of companies will recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday.

• Last year a third of private employers offered Juneteenth as a paid holiday, up from just 8% in 2020, and more said they plan to offer it this year.

• Corporate titans including Nike, Target, Apple, and Best Buy have participated in setting the Juneteenth standard.

Reparation nation… While lawmakers have talked about how to make amends for the financial effects of slavery, more attention is being paid to reparations — compensating descendants of Black American slaves for their labor, an idea that dates to the Civil War. In May, House lawmakers passed a historic bill that established a committee to develop reparations proposals. This month, committee leader California will release the extensive proposal, which calculates payouts for qualifying people in the state. (FYI: some reports say it could be as much $1.2M/person).

• Up next: CA lawmakers will review the report and decide whether to adopt, amend, or dismiss the suggestions. From there, CA’s government would need to pass it.

• FYI: Cities including Boston, Detroit, and St. Louis have approved their own programs or are considering proposals. Last week New York lawmakers passed a bill considering reparations for slavery.