California governor signs bill on presidential tax returns

[sandensea]

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.

While aimed at Trump, the law also applies to candidates for governor. Newsom said California's status as one of the world's largest economies gives it "a special responsibility" to require tax returns from its prospective elected officials.

"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," Newsom wrote in his signing statement.

Courts will likely have the final say.

The bill's author, Democratic state Sen. Mike McGuire, said lawmakers made sure the law only applies to the state's primary ballot because the state Constitution says the state Legislature does not control access to the general election ballot.

At: https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/California-governor-signs-bill-on-presidential-14259433.php

California Governor Gavin Newsom to President Donald Trump: No tax returns, no spot on the CA primary ballot.

[TeamPooka]

1. On to the SCOTUS!

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Hopefully this will encourage more GOP opponents to run against Trump in the primaries nt

[sandensea]

5. +1

If enough states enacted similar bills, they could give Bill Weld a fighting chance to deny the Orange Blob not just re-election - but the renomination itself.

Granted, this is unlikely to happen in enough time to make a difference in 2020 - but it could for 2024.

It would be great if this could apply to the November ballot as well.

[customerserviceguy]

3. While it is a middle finger flipped at Trump

he has two courses of action to deal with it:

1) Ignore the California primary entirely. He is not going to need their delegates at the GOP convention.

2) Ask his supporters in CA to write him in. This may have the additional effect of slowing down counting of the ballots.

My guess is that he's going to go for the latter course of action, he still has #1 to lean on as a backup.

[rurallib]

6. as for write in - spelling "Trump" without help may be difficult for many

[customerserviceguy]

7. Which he will blame

on the California educational system.

[importDavid]

4. Hopefully this will spread to other states! (n/m)

[ROB-ROX]

8. CALIFORNIA IS ALWAYS DEMOCRATIC

Republicans candidates will always lose in California. I do not think old bone spurs will be on any state ballots which would be known as democratic leaning states retiring income tax release. Republicans will run for election in RED states which will not ethically or morally require income tax information.

[sandensea]

9. Right - but it puts Cheeto's nomination that much more in peril

Let's say Bill Weld's primary bid gathers real steam in the next few months (it's unlikely, I know; but let's just say).

And that he captures strong majorities among GOP state delegates, in every state where Cheeto's name was kept off the primary ballot.

He may just end up going into Charlotte with more delegates than Idi Trumpin.

Hey, if wishes were horses right?