California should require candidates show returns

In October 2017, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed SB 149. If passed into law, the legislation would have required every candidate seeking the presidency of the United States to release five years of income tax returns. Since Richard Nixon, every candidate for the presidency has released his returns because he wanted the voters to know “I’m not a crook.” That is, until now.

Trump first argued he was under audit and couldn’t release his returns, but he would later. That has proven to be a lie. Anyone seeking to be the top “public servant” should show the voters he has nothing to hide. Obviously, Trump has indicated he does have something to hide.

Maryland’s State Senate just passed similar legislation. Constitutional scholar Lawrence Tribe has argued that such a law would pass constitutional muster. We need the same bill re-introduced, passed, and this time signed into law by future Gov. Newsom.


Jim Kilby

Escondido

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