DENVER – A Democratic-backed effort to force presidential candidate to disclose their tax returns met its end Monday in a GOP-held committee.
House Bill 1328, which would have made the disclosure of tax returns for the previous five years a requirement to be added to the state’s ballot, was killed by the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on a 3-2 party line vote.
The bill was motivated by President Donald Trump’s refusal to disclose his tax returns and therefore violating what sponsors have called a “unwritten rule” of national politics that began with former President Richard Nixon.
Sen. Matt Jones, D-Louisville and sponsor of HB 1328, said the controversy regarding Trump’s dealings with other countries and his business ties has raised questions over outside influences on the nation’s leader, which the bill aimed to remedy by increasing disclosure requirements.
“The American people deserve to know if a presidential candidate has conflicts of interest, is changing the tax code to benefit themselves or is making money by being president,” Jones said in an email.
The outcome for HB 1328 does was not surprise because of the lack of Republican support for the measure in the House, where it passed on a 36-28 party line vote.
lperkins@durangoherald.com
