HoustonPublicMedia.org

State Representative Ron Reynolds has filed legislation proposing that Texas pays $95 million in reparations to the descendants of 95 African American prison inmates who were forced to work in a Sugar Land plantation while they were serving their time in the 19th century. A contractor discovered the remains in February of 2018 while working on the initial phase to build a career and technical center for the Fort Bend County Independent School District. The inmates were part of the convict lease system, which started in Texas in 1867. The issue has sparked controversy on what to do with the remains and Fort Bend County and the school district are currently negotiating a permanent plan. Reynolds’ legislation is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require payment of the reparations. Reynolds said the money could come from the state’s