Bill requiring presidential candidates to release tax returns to get on the ballot in Connecticut

Bill requiring presidential candidates to release tax returns to get on the ballot in Connecticut advances

The legislative committee that oversees election laws in Connecticut finished its work Monday night, sending to the state House and Senate a broad array of bills aimed at easing voting and sharpening rules for truth in political advertising and transparency in campaign finances.

In meetings Friday and Monday, the government administration and elections committee approved dozens of bills, including a measure drafted in response to President Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns in 2016. The bill would require presidential and gubernatorial candidates to release their returns for three years to get on the ballot in Connecticut.

“I think this committee figured out what its priorities were in terms of the changes that need to be made to our campaign finance laws,” said Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly, the committee co-chair. “And I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to garner support among the rest of our colleagues, including our leadership, to move forward with those.”

Between now and the end of the session at midnight on June 5, it will be up to House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, and Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, to decide how many of those proposals will be put to a vote on the floors of the House and Senate. Both chambers have solid Democratic majorities.

Read more: https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-political-advertising-rules-20190402-vor6fljniffn3hhu7fomgg57zi-story.html