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Hochul releases past three tax returns, calls on Collins to release his returns

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Clarence, NY – “At a time when our nation is debating critical policy issues including whether to extend middle class tax relief or give more tax breaks to millionaires and companies that ship jobs overseas, voters deserve to know how their elected officials make their money and how much they pay in taxes. In a commitment to transparency, Congresswoman Hochul has made the last three years of her tax returns public,” said Campaign Manager Frank Thomas.

“Given Chris Collins' unwillingness to discuss his support for policies that gut Medicare to pay for additional tax cuts for the rich and lingering questions about the business he does with China so he can better line his pockets, we call on him to give voters the clarity they deserve and be candid with his tax returns,” continued Thomas.

Copies of her 2009, 2010, and 2011 returns are available here: http://www.kathyhochul.com/meetkathy/tax-returns/


Chris Collins supports tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.  According to a Collins campaign press release, “Collins supports a full extension of the tax cuts.” [Collins Press Release, 7/9/2012]

Chris Collins refused to release his tax returns so he could hide sources of business income. According the Buffalo News,

For his part, though, Collins said he would not release his tax records because they would show how much he's earning from various business partnerships, meaning the release would also make public his partners' income.

More importantly, he said, his income would reveal how much money his companies are making -- and, therefore, provide important information to his competitors. [Buffalo News, 6/2/2012]

Collins told voters “I would never” release tax returns. At an event on May 21, 2012, Collins told an audience “so again, I'm not going to release personal tax returns, because it's got my partners' income. I would never do that.” [Chris Collins Video, 5/30/2012]

 

James Renfrew

Sorry, Mr. Collins, it is essentially a requirement now to do so. If you are going to run for public office you need to be prepared to do this. If not, then you should no run. Your own press releases ask us not to trust your opponent, but you give little reason to trust you. Mr. Romney has the same problem.

Aug 14, 2012, 1:27pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

This whole issue is asinine! Really, we all know politicians are not hurting for cash. After all, that is how they get where they are. Whether personal wealth or special interests. They all have some type of investment they benefit from. Even the politicians calling for the tax releases have their own hidden loot. If, you believe any of them are 100% honest about their finances, then I can sell you ocean front property in New Mexico. Every politician has their own personal interest taken care of. They are going to doing everything they can to protect their interest(s). It is a self-serving government at hand. Yet, we keep buying into this BS, that one is better than the other. The phrase "Lesser of two evils" would never need to be used when referring to a political elections. There may be politicians out there who start off fighting for us commoners but, eventually the power takes control. We will never get what we deserve in this country as long as special interest groups, personal greed of power and wealth and outside influences control our political system.

Romney is a wealthy man we all know this. We all know businessmen purchase and sell and cut, cut, cut expenses. Giving the rich a tax break will not help our economy. They will still move their business out of the US. Asking to the rich to pay extra taxes, will not help our budget. Especially, when we have Presidents that spend, spend, spend money we do not have. We have more citizens taking than giving which hurts us more. Wake up and address the REAL ISSUES. Really, I could careless about tax releases! I would rather like to see SOLUTIONS!

Aug 14, 2012, 6:09pm Permalink
Mike Weaver

Show your tax return (Collins/Romney)-show your military record (Kerry)-show your birth certificate /show your college records (Obama)

All are the same sort of unproductive nonsense. And the opposition parties love this stuff because if you are focusing on this, you aren't focusing on issues that matter.

Aug 14, 2012, 7:26pm Permalink
Phil Ricci

LOL! Mike, the only people that need proof Obama is a citizen are the same people who are defending Romney providing his tax returns.

So...let's see...Obama is not only a citizen, but President, and Romney is not only rich, but has been sheltering most, if not all, of his tax dollars offshore for the past few decades. Deal?

Done.

Aug 14, 2012, 10:01pm Permalink

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