Mayor Nutter is joining the chorus of Democrats demanding that presumptive GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romeny release more tax returns.
Nutter and a long list of mayors -- many of whom are in Philly for a leadership meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors -- sent a strongly worded letter to Romney today. The full text is below:
Dear Governor Romney,
Transparency leads to trust. And public release of your tax returns is the only way the American people can know if they can trust your judgment, perspective and motivations.
But the American people have waited long enough and heard enough excuses about why you refuse to disclose your tax returns. It's time to come clean Governor Romney.
Your own father set a precedent for presidential candidates, of both parties, when he said public release of several years of tax returns was necessary, explaining that "one year could be a fluke, perhaps done for show." President Obama has released 12 years of tax returns, John Kerry released 20 years' worth and Bob Dole released nearly 30 years. Without releasing additional tax returns, you would go down as one of the most secretive presidential nominees in modern history. Even Richard Nixon released more years of tax returns than you.
Remember when you auditioned to be John McCain's vice presidential pick? You gladly handed over twenty-three years of tax returns. Now, as you audition for the American people, you think only one full year is good enough. It isn't.
We know you have a bank account in Switzerland. We know you have continued holdings in offshore tax havens like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. And we know you've already paid a significantly lower tax rate than most middle class families. The question is why? What else are you trying to hide? Were you trying to avoid paying your fair share? Is there shifty accounting in the rest of your tax returns that would shock Americans? You are running for the highest office in the greatest country on Earth. Don't you think the American people deserve to know the truth?
We do. Transparency is the only way the American people can trust that their President is on their side. It's time to release your tax returns, Governor.
Respectfully,
Mayor Michael Nutter, Philadelphia, PA
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles, CA
Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee, WI
Mayor Julian Castro, San Antonio, TX
Mayor Anthony Foxx, Charlotte, NC
Mayor Bill Bell, Durham, NC
Mayor RT Rybak, Minneapolis, MN
Mayor Michael Coleman, Columbus, OH
Mayor Dave Bing, Detroit, MI
Mayor Mark Mallory, Cincinnati, OH
Mayor Greg Stanton, Phoenix, AZ
Mayor Pedro Segarra, Hartford, CT
Mayor Pete Lagiovane, Chambersburg, PA
Mayor Richard Gray, Lancaster, PA
Mayor Helen Thomas, Darby Borough, PA
Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown, PA
Mayor William Euille, Alexandria, VA
Mayor John Callahan, Bethlehem, PA
Mayor Cindy Lerner, Pinecrest, FL
Mayor Kenneth Wright, Portsmouth, VA
Mayor Brian Moore, Petersburg, VA
Mayor Rick Vilello, Lockhaven, PA