The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, last night officially signed a law requiring any U.S. presidential candidate to release five years of tax returns before they can appear on the state’s ballot.
The move was squarely aimed at President Donald Trump.
“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,” the Governor said in a statement announcing the bill signing.
He also released a message on Twitter
Today @GavinNewsom signed SB 27 requiring candidates for President and California Governor to disclose their income tax return to appear on the California primary ballot.
California has led in the past on transparency and now it’s time to do it again. pic.twitter.com/T4HCsV3eLm
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) July 30, 2019
During his run for President Trump promised to release his tax returns once an Internal Revenue Service audit was complete.
But he has since refused to make them public.
