Posted on 03/16/2017 11:42:32 PM PDT by Freedom56v2
After a fierce debate between Democrats and Republicans, a bill that would force presidential candidates -- including President Donald Trump -- to release their tax returns to receive a place on New Jersey's ballot gained final legislative approval Thursday.
Now it's up to Gov. Chris Christie, a longtime Trump ally and fellow Republican, to decide whether to sign the measure -- which Democrats said they introduced because Trump has repeatedly refused to make his tax returns public. Christie is widely expected to veto it.
The Democratic-controlled state Assembly voted mostly along party lines, 48-26, on Thursday to pass the bill, sending it to Christie's desk.
The state Senate, also controlled by Democrats, voted mostly along party lines, 24-11, in favor of the measure on Monday.
The legislation (S3048/A4520) would require candidates to release five years of their personal income tax returns. That would include Trump if he runs for re-election in 2020.
N.J.'s Pascrell tries new manuever to get Trump's tax returns
N.J.'s Pascrell tries new manuever to get Trump's tax returns
Though not required by law, every other major-party presidential nominee has made their returns public since 1976.
Critics argue the returns might show if Trump, a real estate mogul and former Atlantic City casino tycoon, has any conflicts of interests related to his business ties.
"This is an issue of national security as well as transparency," Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex), a main sponsor of the bill, said Thursday.
Lawmakers say New Jersey is one of 18 states -- including neighboring New York -- considering similar legislation but the first to actually pass it.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
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~Freeper formerly known as bushwon ;)
Trump will say “Nuts”. It’s not like he’d ever win NJ, and won’t need it in 2020.
I’m sure this will be litigated to the SCOTUS.
There are 18 other states considering this requirement...they may all be blue states, but to suggest that Trump would or should just let the issue slide because he won’t win NJ seems to be somewhat shortsighted IMHO.
I’m sure this will be litigated to the SCOTUS.
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Sure hope so...Seems like more and more governmental entities are totally disregarding the Constitution :(
It’s unconstitutonal.
I don’t believe it even rises to the level of Unconstitutional. I think under existing Federal Law you cannot be forced to disclose your Federal taxes to the public record. States can’t make laws that violate the US Code.
Yeah, what the heck man? :)
NJ ain’t going Red maybe ever again.
#### em.
And Trump won’t come close to needing them.
Would have to be a MAJOR demographic change for NJ to go red.
And people don’t move from South to North. Not much anyway.
Hmm...
Well 18 more are considering doing it...
And Christie can veto it.
No use to worry over something that doesn’t exist yet.
MJ is the result of the legal profession here in CA if we lower the passing grade to be a lawyer. We have too many, why do we need more?
Basically, it would open this door. Why limit it to tax returns?
Why not add high school records, college entry forms, your birth certificate, your driver’s record for the past 20 years, your credit report, and property ownership records as well? Why not also add state tax returns as well?
But they don’t have to prove they meet any of the Constitutional requirements, such as being a natural born citizen.
But they don’t have to prove they meet any of the Constitutional requirements, such as being a natural born citizen.
And yet Obama was not even required to release something as simple as his birth certificate. Something stinks of political bias, but unfortunately it appears that the smell of Democrats is not likely to go away soon.
It is unconstitutional. The qualifications for office are in Article 2 and a state cannot modify them.
It is unconstitutional. The qualifications for office are in Article 2 and a state cannot modify them.
Let’s hope Christie is a good student of the Constitution...there are 18 states waiting in the wings...
One positive point is that SCOTUS, with addition of Trump’s nominee should rule in favor of the Constitution. OF course this was not mentioned in the article.
How long will Trump’s tax audit take? Surely not more than 4 years? He probably release it on his own before then.
I suggest Christie to add other stuff to it, not just tax return. Include birth certificate
And along with your tax returns you should also pass a drug test...FOR ANYONE and EVERYONE working at ANY level of any government.
Why shouldn’t this apply to all candidates in NJ?
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