Bill Targeting Trump's Tax Returns Vetoed By California Gov. Jerry Brown

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A bill co-authored by two state senators from the Bay Area that would have required presidential candidates to release years of income tax returns in order to be the state's primary ballot was vetoed Sunday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Brown wrote in a message explaining his reason for the veto that the bill was in response to President Donald Trump's refusal to disclose his tax returns during his campaign for president.

"While I recognize the political attractiveness -- even the merits -- of getting President Trump's tax returns, I worry about the political perils of individual states seeking to regulate presidential elections in this manner," Brown wrote.

He said it may not be constitutional and could lead to a "slippery slope" in which lawmakers might start requiring health records, a certified birth certificate or even high school report cards.

He also asked whether requirements would vary depending on which political party is in power.

Sens. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, authored the bill, which would have required presidential candidates to release the last five years of income tax returns.

The returns would have been available to the public on the secretary of state's website.

Wiener said in a statement that he was disappointed that Brown vetoed the bill.

"The American public deserves transparency and accountability when selecting their president," Wiener said. "Voters are entitled to tax information about whether candidates have financial conflicts of interest that could undermine their ability to govern ethically and effectively."

He vowed that the veto won't stop him and McGuire from working toward more transparency from future presidential candidates.

— Bay City News; Image via State of California

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