California: Simon allows reporters to review tax returns

Sac Bee ^ | 7/22/02 | ALEXA A. BLUTH - Associated Press Writer

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO - California gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon has paid more than $11 million in state and federal taxes since moving to California in 1990, a senior campaign adviser said Monday.

Simon paid $1.5 million in April - his estimate of his 2001 federal and state taxes, although he has asked for a filing extension and could pay more or receive a rebate when he finally files, adviser Jeff Flint said about a half-hour before a select group of reporters were to be given two hours to review 11 years' worth of Simon's tax returns.

[NormsRevenge]

PING

[NormsRevenge]

He changed course because the tax issue "has become a distraction in the campaign," Simon said at an afternoon press conference in Los Angeles, about an hour before reporters in Sacramento were to be shown his documents.

DUMP DAVI$ & the Den of Socialists

GO SIMON

[goldstategop]

I'm disappointed Bill Simon reversed himself. Its too bad he couldn't insist financial privacy is a matter of principle and no one has the right to see my tax returns. I would have told the media whores to take their demands where the sun don't shine.

[timestax]

BUMP

[jwalsh07]

Simon has been dogged about his personal income tax returns since April 15, when Davis released his returns and challenged Simon to follow suit.

To your knowledge has ole Grayout challenged Mr and Mrs Majority Leader to release their tax returns?

[jackbill]

I'm disappointed Bill Simon reversed himself. Its too bad he couldn't insist financial privacy is a matter of principle and no one has the right to see my tax returns.

Not to worry. Just how many "reporters" know what in the hell a Form 1040 is, much less understand it? I think this is a good call. Let's see how the stupid "reporters" report on the files.

[dalereed]

The biggest mistake he made is when the question first came up his statement should have been:

I have filed an extention and there is no tax return to see at this time. That would hae taken the issue off the table until the extention date.

I believe that the extention date is August 15th.

[old school]

"No law requires candidates or elected officials to release their returns, but many, including Davis, choose to."

Even this will not suffice to quell this harangue of Simon by the Left. They are desperate evil swine. Simon is California's last best chance of survival as a republic. Otherwise, the Bear Flag will turn into (dare I say it) the rainbow fag (er, flag)!

[muawiyah]

That's easy enough for you to say, but then you don't want to be Governor of California!

[goldstategop]

There's no law that requires people to disclose their income tax statements. Whether I'm a candidate or not I shouldn't have to. And if I were running for Governor of California, I'd still tell the media whores to go mind their own business.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping!!

Now that he has let them see it they will dig until they find a new issue!

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[Miss Marple]

So, do you think it is all right that Daschle constantly criticizes the information from President Bush's tax returns while refusing to release his own? (Said returns would show the amount Linda Daschle earned as a lobbyist.)

I think this was a wise decision.

[steveo]

Simon paid more in taxes than "the Prince of Darkness" earned (figuratively speaking) in a year. Hmmm... that must really cheese off Gray, doncha think?

[goldstategop]

I don't agree. But to address your point, it goes on to show the media will NEVER place pressure on the Rats the way they do on Republicans. Ann Coulter has yet to be refuted about this overwhelming bias on the substance of her argument and Simon's cave-in has merely illustrated the point its conservatives, not liberals who have to dance by the media's judgment.

[goldstategop]

I don't agree. But to address your point, it goes on to show the media will NEVER place pressure on the Rats the way they do on Republicans. Ann Coulter has yet to be refuted about this overwhelming bias on the substance of her argument and Simon's cave-in has merely illustrated the point its conservatives, not liberals who have to dance by the media's judgment.

[Sloth]

Shoot, why bother? Simon should just go on vacation somewhere out of state until November. Gray Davis is self-destructing spectacularly well. For example, signing the "Everyone Must Walk To Work" bill. Next he'll be publicly molesting schoolkids or something. Simon shouldn't mess with a good thing.

[heleny]

Reporters grilled Simon about his decision to make the documents available for such a limited time and asked for copies to be reviewed by accountants. Simon acknowledged there is "a lot of information there," but said he thinks there is sufficient time and told reporters to "take notes."

Did these reporters even spend that much time poring over or having accountants re-check Davis' tax returns? I have read nothing about the content of Davis' returns other than that he paid $55k tax for an income of $200k last year -- information that a reporter should be able to copy in fifteen seconds.

It would have been nice if Simon's tax returns could have been private. I hope this tax return issue can finally fade and Simon can concentrate on campaign issues, now that reporters find there's really nothing interesting in the returns; but, the liberal media may try to create an issue where none exists to distract from the state's other problems, in particular the state's own spending spree budget, the gigantic (and possibly illegal) bond sale, and Davis' failures to lead.

[JustAmy]

ELECT SIMON!!!

[NormsRevenge]

Thank You, My Dear .

We need everyone's help in chuckin' GraYouT onto the ol' refuse pile... next to the blueprints for new nuclear power plants, clean coal plants, and my favorite , 'til it broke, The ABM Treaty