State legislators are debating measures that would require presidential candidates to publicly disclose their tax returns to qualify for the ballot. “For decades presidential candidates have publicly released their tax returns. The information is valuable to voters when they decide who to vote for President and Vice President. That’s why I introduced the Senate bill.” said Sen. Rhoads.
President Trump, became the first President in recent years to refuse to release his tax documents to the public saying it's because of a current IRS audit.
“Tax return information would provide some transparency there to give voters the assurance that they need that the president is acting on behalf of us,” said Kathleen Clyde, an Ohio state representative who recently introduced a version of the bill. “It is problematic that he is the only candidate in 30 or 40 years not to provide that information.”
The Hawai'i Legislature becomes the first in the nation to pass bills requiring presidential candidates to release tax returns.