—
In this age of Trump Lawlessness unhinged — it is heartening to see up to half the states fighting Trump’s clam-shell refusal to be “transparent” — by pursuing new legislation of their own, to compel that “customary” transparency (wrt. a Candidate’s Tax Returns).
Despite Mick Mulvaney’s attempt to paper-over the latest example of presidential Law-breaking — the people DID NOT “litigate” this lack of Disclosure in the last election.
But we are about to — for the next …
Bill Requiring Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Passes Washington Senate
by Rich Smith, www.thestranger.com — Mar 12, 2019
On Tuesday evening a bill requiring all presidential and vice presidential candidates to disclose the last 5 years of their tax returns in order to appear on Washington state ballots passed the Senate floor. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue), passed 28 to 21 along party lines, because of course it did.
[...]
"Voters have a right to know what a candidate's conflict of interests are, they have a right to know their businesses' ties, their obligations, who they're beholden to," Kuderer said. "We've come to expect presidents and vice presidents to release their tax returns. It's become a vital piece of information when making a decision for the office," she added.
Kuderer expects the law will get tied up in courts given the subject matter but said lawmakers "shouldn't be afraid to pass legislation because someone might sue over it."
According to Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, the bill is "probably" constitutional. In a letter to lawmakers issued earlier today, Ferguson said the proposal would "probably not" violate the Presidential Qualifications Clause in the Constitution because it wouldn't "exclude or handicap any class of candidates." He also said it would "probably not" violate the Presidential Elections Clause because the measure wouldn't mess with a party's "internal processes" for selecting a candidate.
[...]
Yesterday, another state passes a legal milestone, to force a Candidate (ie Trump) to be financially “transparent”.
THIS issue does matter to the citizen of Illinois too ...
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is one step closer to requiring presidential or vice-presidential candidates to release their tax returns in order to appear on the state’s election ballots – if such a measure is even constitutional.
State Sen. Tony Munoz’s Senate Bill 145 passed the Senate by a 36-19 vote Thursday. It would require the release of tax returns for those running for the nation’s executive branch, but not for U.S. senators or representatives or any statewide elected officials such as the governor.
[...]
“They’re doing this in 25 states whether you agree with it or not,” Munoz said, adding “If you have nothing to hide, you shouldn’t worry about anything.”
[...]
www.thetelegraph.com — April 11, 2019
Here’s a map from 2017, early in this “Disclosure Requirement” movement ...
Notice how many purple states are on this list: MI, PA, OH, NC, and WI.
That should get the Trump Obstructionist’s attention. They can’t win those Electoral Votes, if they’re not on those states’ Ballots.
If those attempts at Candidate-Accountability don’t get Trump’s many ‘conflicts of interests’ out into open, for all to “litigate” — maybe this next state legislative effort will …
NY state lawmakers to introduce bill to get Trump's state tax returns
by Zack Budryk, TheHill — April 8, 2019
Democratic lawmakers in New York’s state legislature are set to introduce a bill allowing for the release of President Trump’s state tax returns, according to The New York Times.
The bill, slated to be introduced this week, would allow the commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to release any state return requested by three U.S. congressional committee’s leaders for a “specific and legitimate legislative purpose,” according to the Times.
State Sen. Brad Hoylman (D), who is sponsoring the bill, called it “a safety valve for any attempt by the White House to block the Congress from doing this at the federal level,” telling the Times “we’re creating a parallel track.”
[...]
—
If your state is considering any new “truth in advertising” Executive requirements — give your rep a call, and ask them “Hey, what the hold up?”
Lawmakers "shouldn't be afraid to pass legislation because someone might sue over it.
Stand on principle. And Legislate the hell out of it — this Trump abuse of power (among a of a long train of such abuses ...)
The Resistance starts here, if it starts anywhere. Let the citizen “litigation” begin …
and continue, until Justice is finally seen.
— — —