Once again, California is making their own rules, despite what is legal or constitutional.
They have created sanctuary cities to protect illegal immigrants, and now they have proposed a new bill stating that Trump's name won't be on the ballot if he does not release his tax returns.
The California Legislature is attempting to force presidential candidates to publicly disclose their tax returns — a move that could bar President Donald Trump from appearing on the state's primary ballot if he does not make the documents public.
The state Senate voted 27-10 on Thursday to require anyone appearing on the state's presidential primary ballot to publicly release five years' worth of income tax returns. The proposal is in response to Trump, who bucked 40 years of tradition by refusing to release his tax returns prior to his election in 2016.
If they pass the bill, and Trump doesn't file his tax returns with California, then he will not appear on the state's primary ballot.
How could this even be remotely considerable as constitutional? Since when does a person have to release their tax returns to be in office?
California's presidential primary is scheduled for March 3. If the bill becomes law, Trump could not appear on the state's primary ballot without filing his tax returns with the California secretary of state.
Senator Mike McGuire, co-author of the bill, stated: "We believe that President Trump, if he truly doesn't have anything to hide, should step up and release his tax returns."
A similar bill was introduced in 2017, however, California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed it. Perhaps the only good thing he has ever done while being in office. Passing the bill would have forced him to release his tax returns, which he did not want to do. Brown also believed that it would be an unconstitutional law.
However, Brown was replaced with Gavin Newsom in January. The new governor fully embraced the bill, as he considers himself part of the "resistance" against Trump. While it has not been confirmed as to whether he will sign the bill or not, it is very likely.
"I never want to put words into his mouth, but here's what I'll say: Gov. Newsom has led by example," Senator McGuire said of Newsom, who has already released his tax returns.
