Campaign Action
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that requires presidential candidates to release five years of tax returns to qualify for the California primaries. Journalist Yashar Ali has the scoop:
The bill, known as SB-27, passed the California Assembly and Senate earlier this month. The law would require candidates for U.S. president and California governor to submit their five most recent years of tax returns, with sensitive information like Social Security numbers redacted. The state would then publish those returns for the public to review. If a candidate for either of those offices refused to submit their returns, they would not be listed on the primary ballot.
This is unquestionably a bill directed toward and inspired by President Donald Trump’s refusal to release copies of his tax returns. When Newsom signs the bill today, California will become the first state to require such a disclosure by law.
Ali notes that this won’t affect the general election. Unless someone steps up to challenge Donald Trump in a Republican primary, it won’t likely matter. But it is likely to get Trump’s attention. Just as he attacked Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland for his work on the House Oversight Committee, look for Trump to lash out and take aim at Newsom.
It’s a safe bet to say that Donald Trump will likely be taking the issue up in the courts. Stay tuned.