On Thursday, January 31, the New Jersey Senate Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee will hear SB 119. This is the bill to require general election presidential and vice-presidential candidates to reveal their tax returns for the last five years. The bill does not apply to the presidential primary. It also forbids presidential electors from voting for a candidate who has not released his or her tax returns.

It is foolish for any state legislature to include minor party and independent presidential candidates in legislation like this, because that provides a pool of potential candidate-plaintiffs who will be eager to challenge the law as an unconstitutional qualification. By contrast, the congressional bill on this topic only applies to the nominees of parties that polled at least 25% of the vote in the preceding election. Thanks to Derek Muller for the news about the bill.

On Tuesday, January 29, at 10 a.m., the House Judiciary will hear testimony on HR 1, the bill in the U.S. House that is generally supported by Democrats and which changes many federal election laws, especially campaign finance laws. The vast majority of bills never get a hearing in either house of Congress. Thanks to Rick Hasen for this news.

Howard Schultz is interviewed on 60 Minutes, which airs on Sunday, January 27. He will discuss his thoughts about running for president as an independent in 2020.