Stonewalling on Taxes by Scott Peters and Brian Bilbray Feeds Public Suspicions, Saldaña says

From the Saldaña campaign:

Stonewalling on Taxes by Scott Peters and Brian Bilbray Feeds Public Suspicions, Saldaña says

“What are they hiding?”

SAN DIEGO – A month after she released her taxes to the public, Democratic frontrunner Lori Saldaña said that the stonewalling by the other candidates for the 52nd Congressional District is fueling public suspicions about what they are hiding.

“This year, people are angry and demand to know whether candidates have enjoyed tax breaks that are not available to the average middle-class voter,” Saldaña said. “The public rightfully believe that, if elected, they will perpetuate these tax policies at the expense of the middle class.”

“Do Mr. Bilbray and Mr. Peters pay a lower tax rate than a teacher, a machinist or a barista? Are they hiding funds tax free in the Cayman islands?”

“Voters need to know that the Buffet Rule applies to the people they elect to Congress,” Saldaña said.

Saldaña released her taxes to the San Diego Union Tribune on March 3rd and challenged the other candidates to do the same.

The leading Republican contender, Brian Bilbray, originally agreed to release his returns, but so far has not done so.

Scott Peters, - whose vast personal wealth is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars - has refused repeated calls to make his tax returns public.

Saldaña noted parallels between Peters’ intransigence and multimillionaire Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney who, when he finally released his taxes, was found to only pay l3.9 percent of his income in taxes, a lower tax rate than most middle-income Americans.

"It's simple: I believe in transparency," Saldaña stated. "When I talk with San Diegans and hear their stories, it's clear many are still struggling even as the economy improves. By releasing my tax returns I want them to know: I get it. I hear you loud and clear. My family's a lot like your family."

"If they have nothing to hide, Mr. Bilbray and Mr. Peters should release their taxes and put the public's suspicions to rest," she said.

Saldaña is leading the other challengers to unseat the long-term Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray in the new-drawn 52nd District, which includes La Jolla, Poway, Mira Mesa, Clairemont, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, Downtown San Diego and Coronado.

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