Government yet to pay racial bias settlement to black farmers (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

From Paul Courson, CNN
April 15, 2010 2:31 a.m. EDT

Washington (CNN) -- Black farmers hoping for government settlement money in a racial bias case better not bet the crop this Spring, until Congress finds a way to pay for the $1 billion deal. A meeting Wednesday at the White House may not have provided much encouragement.

Litigation known as "The Pigford Case" established a longstanding pattern of discrimination at the U.S. Agriculture Department against black farmers who had applied for farm loans and support from federal programs.

Under the terms of a process overseen by a federal judge and dating to 1999, qualified farmers could receive $50,000 each to settle claims of racial bias. In addition, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has said those farmers may pursue a claim for actual damages from the bias and potentially receive up to $250,000.

The $1 billion settlement, which covers as many as 80,000 black farmers, still needs to be funded by Congress. A deadline of March 31 passed, and farmers now may withdraw from the settlement and pursue independent litigation against the government.
***
more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/15/black.farmers.lawsuit/index.html?hpt=Sbin




Looks like celebration was premature. I wish I were more surprised.

Guess they could ask NAs how long they might have to wait for compensation.

[katandmoon]

1. Maybe they should look into forming a bank....

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Reminds me of a line from the old "Cosby Show" ...

Theo has told his dad (Cliff) that he doesn't want to go to college, or be a lawyer or a doctor, he just wants to be "a regular person".

Cliff: You graduate from High school, let's say you just slide by. Now you gotta find a job. Now what kind of salary do you expect for a regular person?
Theo: Uhh, $250 a week.
Cliff: Sit down. I'm gonna give you $300 a week. Yes indeed. $300 a week, $1200 dollars a month.
Theo: Great! I'll take it!
Cliff: Yes you will, and I will take $350 for taxes.
Theo: Whoa!
Cliff: Uh, yeah. You see, the government comes for the regular people first.