Submitted on behalf of Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington)
On Wednesday, September 6 at 1 p.m. in State House Room B1, the Joint Committee on Election Laws will hear from elected officials including Secretary of State Galvin, lawyers and members of the public on a proposal to require presidential candidates to disclose personal finances — including tax returns — in order to appear on a Massachusetts primary or general election ballot.
State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), chief sponsor of An Act Restoring Financial Transparency in Presidential Elections S. 365, said, “Until recently, Americans just assumed that the Office of President ensured the observance of modern practices of disclosure and transparency. While unwritten, these practices are responsible and well-known. One of them is the disclosure by candidates of personal financial information related to possible conflicts of interest. The 2016 election shattered our confidence in the broad acceptance by presidential candidates of certain rules of public conduct and engagement. In state legislatures across the country, lawmakers are stepping forward to restore these fallen standards.”
The bill is being championed by March Forward Mass, a group formed in the wake of the historic Boston Women’s March. Karen Cosmas Clawson (Executive Director) said, “Truth and fairness are key to our democratic norms and principles. Senator Barrett’s bill requiring the disclosure of tax returns codifies a long-standing tradition of transparency and trust between everyday Americans and seekers of the highest office in the land.”
The legislation would require candidates to submit statements of financial interest and recent tax returns to the Secretary of State, who would be obligated to make the documents public. A candidate for president (or vice president) who did not comply with these provisions would be ineligible to appear on the relevant Massachusetts ballot.
What: Joint Committee on Election Laws hearing on campaign transparency
When: Wednesday, September 6th at 1 p.m.
Where: State House, Room B1
Expected to testify: Secretary of State William Galvin, Legal experts, Legislators, Members of the public
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