Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


California Governor Signs Bill on Presidential Tax Returns

Associated Press

   SACRAMENTO, CALIF. - California's Democratic governor signed a law
   Tuesday requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns
   to appear on the state's primary ballot, a move aimed squarely at
   Republican President Donald Trump.

   But even if the law withstands a likely legal challenge, Trump could
   avoid the requirements by choosing not to compete in California's
   primary. With no credible GOP challenger at this point, he likely won't
   need California's delegates to win the Republican nomination.

   "As one of the largest economies in the world and home to one in nine
   Americans eligible to vote, California has a special responsibility to
   require this information of presidential and gubernatorial candidates,"
   Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in his veto message to the state
   Legislature. "These are extraordinary times and states have a legal and
   moral duty to do everything in their power to ensure leaders seeking
   the highest offices meet minimal standards, and to restore public
   confidence."

   New York has passed a law giving congressional committees access to
   Trump's state tax returns. But efforts to pry loose his tax returns
   have floundered in other states. California's first attempt to do so
   failed in 2017 when then-Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, vetoed the law,
   raising questions about its constitutionality and where it would lead
   next.

   "Today we require tax returns, but what would be next?" he wrote in his
   veto message. "Five years of health records? A certified birth
   certificate? High school report cards? And will these requirements vary
   depending on which political party is in power?"

   While the law is aimed at Trump, it would apply to all presidential
   contenders and candidates for governor.

   The major Democratic 2020 contenders have already released tax returns
   for roughly the past decade. Trump has bucked decades of precedent by
   refusing to release his. Tax returns show income, charitable giving and
   business dealings, all of which Democratic state lawmakers say voters
   are entitled to know about.

   Candidates will be required to submit tax returns for the most recent
   five years to California's Secretary of State at least 98 days before
   the primary. They will then be posed online for the public to view,
   with certain personal information redacted.

   California is holding next year's primary on March 3, known as Super
   Tuesday because the high number of state's with nominating contests
   that day.

   Democratic Sen. Mike McGuire of Healdsburg said it would be
   "inconsistent" with past practice for Trump to forego the primary
   ballot and "ignore the most popular and vote-rich state in the nation."

   McGuire said his bill only applies to the primary election because the
   state Legislature does not control general election ballot access per
   the state Constitution.