WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - California Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed legislation requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns, expressing concerns the legislation sets a 'slippery slope' precedent.
The bill passed by California's Democratic-controlled legislature would have required any presidential candidate to disclose five years of tax returns before their name can be placed on the state's primary election ballot.
Brown noted that the bill was a response to President Donald Trump's refusal to release his tax returns during the last election.
'While I recognize the political attractiveness - even the merits - of getting President Trump's tax returns, I worry about the political perils of individual states seeking to regulate presidential elections in this manner,' Brown said.
The Democratic governor expressed concerns about whether the bill is constitutional as well as the potential slippery slope.
'Today we require tax returns, but what would be next? Five years of health records? A certified birth certificate? High school report cards?' Brown said. 'And will these requirements vary depending on which political party is in power?'
Brown said he was hesitant to start down a road that might lead to an ever escalating set of differing state requirements for presidential candidates.
A report from Politico noted Brown did not release his tax returns during his 2010 or 2014 campaigns, breaking with a tradition of gubernatorial candidates in California.
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