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Over 40 Assembly members sign onto Buchwald’s legislation

In less than two weeks, over 40 members of the New York State Assembly have signed on as co-sponsors of Assemblyman David Buchwald’s bill to force the release of New York State income tax returns for statewide elected officials, including the President of the United States. With these quick pledges of support, the bill (A.7462/S.5572-A) is already over halfway towards obtaining the 76 votes needed to pass on the Assembly floor.

On April 26, State Assemblyman David Buchwald and State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced the legislation that would direct the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) to release the tax returns within thirty days of enactment of the bill, going back five years, and then continuing each year the elected official is in office.

The legislation doesn’t just apply to the President of the United States. It applies equally to any Vice President that files New York State income tax forms, as well as the U.S. Senators representing New York, and the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Comptroller. Most of these officials, including Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand, routinely make their tax returns available. And with respect to the Presidency, for over 40 years, transparency of the President’s tax returns the norm as well. The tax returns released by New York State under the legislation would redact social security numbers and other personal information the disclosure of which would violate federal law.

The Buchwald-Hoylman Bill ended up being introduced the same day the White House released its one-page handout on its tax reform proposals.

“This bill is essential for New Yorkers to have confidence in our tax system, to understand the potential motivation for tax reform proposals from our top elected officials, and to gain insight into potential conflicts of interest,” said Assemblyman Buchwald (D-Westchester).

When introducing the bill Assemblyman Buchwald said, “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy can be outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.”

Buchwald: “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy can be outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.”

Hoylman: “If lawmakers in Washington won’t force President Trump to release his tax returns, lawmakers in Albany should do it instead. New Yorkers deserve to know if statewide officials – including Trump – pay their fair share of taxes.”

Albany April 26, 1017 – Assemblyman David Buchwald (D – Westchester) and State Senator Brad Hoylman (D – Manhattan) announced the introduction of legislation that would require the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) to release income tax information and returns for statewide elected officials, including the President of the United States. This legislation is the only one of its kind in the nation.

The bill would require the most recent five years of tax returns be posted to the NYSDTF’s website within 30 days of enactment of the bill, and in the future within 30 days of when the elected officials take the oath of office. Future tax returns would be posted within 30 days after they have been filed with NYSDTF, until the elected officials leave office. Other statewide elected officials affected by this legislation include the Vice President of the United States, the U.S. Senators representing New York, along with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Comptroller. The legislation instructs NYSDTF to redact social security numbers and other personal information the disclosure of which would violate federal law.

“Now is the time for legislative action to ensure the transparency of high ranking elected officials’ tax returns,” said Assemblyman David Buchwald. “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy canbe outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.”

“If lawmakers in Washington won’t force President Trump to release his tax returns, lawmakers in Albany should do it instead,” said State Senator Hoylman. “We have a unique opportunity to advance the cause of presidential tax transparency. New Yorkers deserve to know if statewide officials – including Trump – pay their fair share of their taxes and avoid conflicts of interest.”

“Presidential candidates release their tax returns so the American people know they are focused on job number one — serving the country in a role with extraordinary power. Donald Trump’s refusal speaks volumes about his values, but does not give the public or the press the most important information about his conflicts and incentives. New York can solve that,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “Thank you to Senator Hoylman and Assemblyman Buchwald, professor Daniel Hemel, and the many Americans pushing for good government.”

“Every presidential candidate since Richard Nixon has released his or her tax returns, except Donald Trump,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York. “Americans have the right to know if the President is putting his business empire, or the interests of the public, first. We commend Senator Hoylman and Assemblyman Buchwald for introducing a common sense solution to the problem that brought out tens of thousands of New Yorkers for Tax March.”

The overwhelming majority of Americans—80%, according to one recent survey—say the president should release his returns. But thus far Trump has rebuffed those demands, and in Washington House leaders won’t even allow a vote on a bipartisan bill that would require the returns to be released.

Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand have already posted their returns online.