CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION
House Resolution
No. 13
Introduced by Assembly Member Santiago
(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Ting)
|
January 30, 2017 |
Relative to President Trump’s income tax returns.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HR 13, as introduced, Santiago.
Digest Key
WHEREAS, The health of our democracy depends on transparency and for the ability of people to hold their elected leaders accountable; and
WHEREAS, There is precedent for Presidents having released their personal income tax for public review and scrutiny; and
WHEREAS, At this point President Trump has failed to disclose his own personal income taxes, despite there being no legal prohibition for him doing so; and
WHEREAS, There was and is public pressure for him to do so; and
WHEREAS, A recent poll found that 74 percent of respondents believed President Trump should release his tax returns; and
WHEREAS, At this point in time over 100,000 people have responded to a White House petition urging President Trump to release his tax returns; and
WHEREAS, The people of California are also concerned about the personal business dealings of the President, especially in regards to potential conflicts of interest and emoluments; and
WHEREAS, President Trump has not agreed to place his businesses in a blind trust during his tenure, which raises unanswered questions about potential conflicts of interest; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, The Assembly of the State of California believes this information needs to be made available to the American people, including any pertinent documentation which can reveal foreign interests and financial interests which may put Donald Trump in conflict with the interests of this nation; and be it further
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the President release his income tax returns for at least the last five taxable years; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.