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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	January 3, 2018 01:33 PM
From:	Senator Anthony H. Williams
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Candidate Tax Return Transparency

In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to require all candidates for state-level offices to disclose their federal tax returns in order to appear on the ballot. I’ve run for many offices, from the General Assembly to Mayor to Governor, and I’ve found that voters want transparency from candidates. Under current law, there is not a provision to provide an equal playing field in terms of transparency related to personal finances. Tax returns provide voters with a greater understanding of a candidate’s financial relationships which may affect policy decisions. Without pertinent information contained on those filings, voters are left to come to their own conclusions about conflicts exist. My legislation would require all candidates for state-level office – including candidates for the General Assembly, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, statewide row offices, and the judiciary – to submit their federal tax returns to the Secretary of the Commonwealth in order to appear on the general election ballot. The Secretary would then be required to post these filings, with appropriate redactions to protect privacy, on a public website within 90 days of the election. Pennsylvania’s voters have a right to know if potential conflicts of interest exist due to a financial relationship between candidates and corporations, just as they have a right to view information on campaign contributions. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. Any questions or concerns may be directed to Kyle Miller, my legislative director, at 717-787-5970 or kyle.miller@pasenate.com. Thank you.

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