Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
California Renews Bid to Get Presidential Candidates' Taxes
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
May 3, 2019

Share

SACRAMENTO — The California Legislature is trying again to force presidential candidates to publicly disclose their tax returns, hoping a new Democratic governor known for his clashes with President Donald Trump won’t block them this time.

“We believe that President Trump, if he truly doesn’t have anything to hide, should step up and release his tax returns.” — Sen. Mike McGuire

The state Senate voted 27-10 on Thursday to require anyone appearing on the state’s presidential primary ballot to publicly release five years’ worth of income tax returns. The proposal is in response to Trump, who bucked 40 years of tradition by refusing to release his tax returns prior to his election in 2016.

California’s presidential primary is scheduled for March 3. If the bill becomes law, Trump could not appear on the state’s primary ballot without filing his tax returns with the California secretary of state.

“We believe that President Trump, if he truly doesn’t have anything to hide, should step up and release his tax returns,” said Sen. Mike McGuire, a Democrat from Healdsburg and the co-author of the bill along with Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat.

Newsom’s Office Didn’t Say Whether He’d Sign It

The Legislature passed a nearly identical bill in 2017, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, telling lawmakers he was concerned the law was unconstitutional. Brown, a Democrat, refused to release his tax returns while in office.

He left office in January and was replaced by Gavin Newsom, who has released his tax returns and embraced his role as a national “resistance” leader to Trump and his policies.

Newsom’s office didn’t say whether he’d sign it. If the bill reaches his desk, “it would be evaluated on its own merits,” spokesman Brian Ferguson said.

McGuire said he has had “initial discussions” with the Newsom administration about the proposal.

“I never want to put words into his mouth, but here’s what I’ll say: Gov. Newsom has led by example,” by releasing his own tax returns, McGuire said.

The bill would also apply to the more than a dozen candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. But many of them have already released their tax returns. They include California Sen. Kamala Harris and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who released his tax returns last month after refusing to do so in 2016.

All 10 Republicans in the State Senate Voted Against the Bill

Candidates would have to submit tax returns to the secretary of state’s office, which would work with the candidates to redact some information before posting the returns online.

“I get that playing the resistance card may be good politics for the majority party, but I would submit that it’s bad policy for Californians.” — Sen. Brian Jones

All 10 Republicans in the state Senate voted against the bill, arguing it is unconstitutional.

“I get that playing the resistance card may be good politics for the majority party, but I would submit that it’s bad policy for Californians,” Sen. Brian Jones said.

McGuire said the office of the legislative counsel has some concerns about the constitutionality of the bill, but he noted the chief ethics lawyers for former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama say the bill is constitutional.

“We can all debate on the floor about the constitutionality of this bill,” McGuire said before the vote. “But we also have to look at what makes our democracy strong. The foundation of any successful government is transparency.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing Teen

Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement

10 hours ago

General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods

10 hours ago

‘Who’s Running the White House?’ Trump Brings Back ICE Raids on Farms, Restaurants

U.S. immigration officials on Tuesday walked back limits on enforcement targeting farms, restaurants, hotels and food processing plants just...

9 hours ago

9 hours ago

‘Who’s Running the White House?’ Trump Brings Back ICE Raids on Farms, Restaurants

9 hours ago

Granite Park Eviction Lawsuit Heads Toward Trial

Mark Kismet, 50, who is considered at-risk went missing on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Clovis near Harlan Ranch is still missing according to the Clovis Police Department on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Clovis PD)
10 hours ago

Missing Clovis Man Found Dead. No Foul Play Suspected

Kings County Sheriff Dave Robinson announced he will retire on November 24, 2025, ending a nearly 30-year career and prompting the county to consider options for his replacement. (Kings County SO)
10 hours ago

Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement

10 hours ago

General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods

10 hours ago

US FDA to Shorten Review Time for Drug Developers Under New Voucher Program

10 hours ago

Physician Warns Fresno County Supervisors About Jail’s Medical Provider, Private Equity Co.

10 hours ago

Houthi Official Says Group Will Intervene to Support Iran Against Israel

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend