Community News for Lyme and Old Lyme, CT
Lyme and Old Lyme Town Halls will be closed Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The Transfer Station in Lyme will also be closed on Monday.
There is no change to the trash or recycling pick-up schedule in Old Lyme on Monday.
A new 2019 color coded recycling calendar for Old Lyme is available on the Old Lyme Sanitation website and on the Town website under Trash & Recycling
Together We Rise – Building Bridges For Justice has announced that East Haddam, Conn., is again registered as an Official Sister Event location for Connecticut, along with Hartford and Kent, for the Jan. 19, 2019, Third Annual Women’s March:#WomensWave March on Washington.
Together We Rise will join more than 650 sister events/marches throughout the World, when an outdoor gathering and vigil will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Two Wrasslin’ Cats Coffee House & Café, located at 374 Town St. in East Haddam, CT at the junction of Rtes 82 and 151.
Those interested in participating in the Together We Rise Jan. 19 Sister Event vigil should register by going to https://www.womensmarch.com/2019/ and clicking on Sister Events, and entering zip code 06469.
Participants are encouraged to arrive early. Parking Monitors will be on site to direct participants to parking venues near Two Wrasslin’ Cats. Parking in Two Wrasslin’ Cats parking lot is available only to those with disabilities.
Speakers at the Together We Rise Vigil in East Haddam will include Christine Palm, Emily Gerber Bjornberg, Marta Daniels and Ella Briggs.
Palm is the newly elected State Representative for the 36th Legislative District covering Chester, Deep River, Essex and Haddam. A lifelong Connecticut resident and progressive Democrat, her social justice advocacy began in high school when she marched with Caesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. Palm’s work has culminated in her strong desire today to champion public policy that reflects the aspirations and concerns of people in the lower Connecticut River Valley.
Palm has been a journalist, high school teacher, communications manager, and small business owner. Most recently, she has served as Women’s Policy Analyst for the General Assembly’s Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, a group that advocates for policies that enhance the safety and economic security of these three under-represented populations. Before that, she was Communications Director of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.
Daniels is a writer, activist, and public historian. Her 35-year professional career has focused on expanding and improving civic engagement in public policy issues on peace, justice, and the environment.
She was director or co-director of half a dozen national and state educational organizations and also served as a consultant for several environmental and humanitarian organizations. Daniels is the author of several books on peace, many research papers and hundreds of articles and op-eds on peace and disarmament, and US-Soviet relations.
Daniels lives in Chester and is an active member of the Chester Democratic Town Committee, the Historical Society, and the Land Trust.
Briggs is the 2019 Connecticut Kid Governor. She is a 5th grader at Ana Grace Academy of the Arts Elementary Magnet School in Avon, CT. Ella lives with her family in East Hampton.
In addition to these speakers, music will be provided by Thomasina Levy and Diane Adams. Levy was Connecticut State Troubadour for 2005 and 2006. An award-winning mountain dulcimer player, singer, poet and songwriter, her performances weave together traditional and contemporary folk music.
Adams is a local musician, who has performed at a variety of public events celebrating justice and equality including Together We Rise’s 2018 March for Our Lives event.
1/16: WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. See comment below. Many thanks to Gary Jenkins for the update.
Lyme Public Library hosts Creatures of the Night with live animals from Dennison Pequotsepos Nature Center on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m.
Join wildlife biologist Kris Vagos from the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge for an entertaining and informative nature program about
nocturnal animals.
This family-friendly program about owls, bats, opossums, flying squirrels, and other fascinating creatures of the night will be great for all ages. There will also be live animals at the library, courtesy of Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.
This event is free and open to all
Call to register at 860.434.2272
The Lyme Public Library is located at 482 Hamburg Rd, Lyme.
The non-profit production company The Saybrook Stage Company will be performing Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities live at the Kate in Old Saybrook from Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 17-19, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m.
Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz is a poignant play about the strong bond and love of family that overcomes any differences that exist between individual family members. This thoughtful, relevant play will have you sharing tears of laughter, sadness and joy as you become immersed in the heart-wrenching yet heart-warming story of the Wyeth family.
What is the price a family will pay to protect their good name? What is the price parents will pay to protect their children? These difficult questions are addressed in this wonderful and funny play!
It’s Christmas Eve 2004 and Brooke Wyeth is returning home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother and her aunt.
Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history – a wound her parents don’t want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them to cross it.
A realistic story about family struggles and conflicts – The New York Times is quoted as describing this play as “The most richly enjoyable new play for grown-ups that New York has known in many seasons … Mr. Baitz makes sure our sympathies keep shifting among the members of the wounded family portrayed here. Every one of them emerges as selfish, loving, cruel, compassionate, irritating, charming and just possibly heroic … leaves you feeling both moved and gratifyingly sated.”
Other Desert Cities opened on Broadway in November 2011 and received critical acclaim in addition to many awards including a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as Tony Award nominations for Best Play; Best Actress and Best Scenic Design.
Visit www.thekate.org or call 860.510.0453 to reserve your tickets.
Also, visit www.SaybrookStage.org for more information about The Saybrook Stage Company.
The Country School jn Madison is holding an Open House on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
This is an opportunity to meet engaged students and passionate teachers. Also, learn about the rigorous academic program and commitment to honoring the creativity, sense of wonder, and exuberance of childhood.
Learn about the school’s signature programs – STEAM, Elmore Leadership, Outdoor Education, and Public Speaking – and their rich offerings in the arts and athletics.
Tour the transformed 23-acre campus. Hear how alumni are thriving at top high schools and colleges across the country.
Founded in 1955, The Country School is a coeducational, independent day school serving students in PreSchool through Grade 8. To learn more and register, visit https://www.thecountryschool.org/admission/open-house.
For information about the school’s $10,000 60th Anniversary Merit Scholarship opportunity for students entering Grades 4-8, visit http://www.thecountryschool.org/scholarship.
Jenny Dickson, Wildlife Biologist at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), will present ‘Birds Bring Benefits,’ Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. This engaging presentation will discuss the economic and ecological benefits of birds and other wildlife in the Lyme Forest Block Important Bird Area (IBA).
Connecticut’s woodlands are home to some of the highest concentration of bird species breeding in the continental United States. In 2016, the Lyme Forest Block, which includes Old Lyme, was recognized by the National Audubon Society and the State of Connecticut as an IBA.
Unfortunately, many birds are experiencing long-term population declines in the area, but local landowners and residents can learn how to help halt these declines.
This event is co-sponsored by Audubon Connecticut and is part of a presentation series offered by the Lyme Forest Block Conservation Project.
For more information on the project, visit http://ct.audubon.org/lyme-forest-block-conservation-project.
To register for this program, visit the Library’s RSVP page.
The public is invited to meet with State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23) for Office Hours in the 23rd District throughout January and February.
Rep. Carney will offer residents of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook an opportunity to meet with him in a relaxed setting and discuss any legislative or local issues, including the 2019 legislative session which convenes on Jan. 9.
The schedule for Rep. Carney’s office hours is as follows:
Lyme Office Hours
Tuesday, Jan. 15
Lyme Public Library Community Room
482 Hamburg Road
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Old Lyme Office Hours with State Senator Paul Formica
Monday, Feb. 11
Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Community Room
2 Library Lane
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Old Saybrook Office Hours with State Senator Paul Formica
Tuesday, January 29
Acton Public Library
60 Old Boston Post Rd.
Friends’ Conference Room
6:30 -7:30 p.m.
Westbrook Office Hours with State Representative Jesse MacLachlan
Thursday, Jan. 17
Westbrook Public Library
61 Goodspeed Drive
Community Room
6:30 -7:30 p.m.
All residents are encouraged to attend these events. Those who are unable to attend but would like to contact Rep. Carney may do so at (800) 842-1423 or by email at Devin.Carney@housegop.ct.gov.
The Lyme Art Association (LAA) presents two new juried exhibitions of work by member artists beginning Friday, Jan. 18. There will be an opening reception for these two exhibitions on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Associate Artist Exhibition features works by both emerging and established artists. This mid-level artist membership includes both well-known professional artists, who are relatively new to the Lyme Art Association, as well as long-time member artists.
“Our Associate Artists are very invested and engaged here and bring their best work to every show. You will find varied subject matter, all executed with skill and enthusiasm. These are our base and we love to celebrate them in this show,” says Gallery Manager Jocelyn Zallinger.
The Newly Elected Artists Show features the nine artists, who passed through the rigorous selection requirements to become Elected Artist members of the Association. They are Ralph Acosta, Harley Bartlett, Melissa Imossi, Karen Israel, Randie Karl, Steve Linde, Mary Mellot, Judy Perry, and Michael Rogan.
Laurie Pavlos, LAA Executive Director says, “These are fabulous, highly skilled artists and we are proud to now name them among our Elected Artist ranks.”
The LAA is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. The LAA is located at 90 Lyme St. in Old Lyme, at the corner of Halls Rd.
For more information, call (860) 434-7802 or visit www.lymeartassociation.org
Join the Cappella Cantorum Masterworks Chorus for registration and its first rehearsal of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” on Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m., at John Winthrop Middle School, 1 Winthrop Rd., Deep River (use rear entrance).
The lyricism and use of orchestral and choral color in “Elijah” reflect Mendelssohn’s genius as an early Romantic composer.This inspiring work will be performed in concert Sunday, April 14, at John Winthrop with professional orchestra and soloists.
Simon Holt of the Salt Marsh Opera will direct. All singers and high school students are welcome; auditions are not required.
Registration is $50 plus cost of music. Late registration is the following Monday, Jan. 14, same time and place. Singers may register on-line or in person at John Winthrop.
For more information, visit www.CappellaCantorum.org or call 860-526-1038.
Essex Winter Series’ 42nd season begins with a stunning program of Haydn, Dvorak, and Schumann performed by the New York Philharmonic String Quartet and Artistic Director and pianist Mihae Lee on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. at Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Rd., Deep River.
The New York Philharmonic String Quartet comprises four Principal musicians from the Orchestra, including Concertmaster Frank Huang; Principal Associate Concertmaster Sheryl Staples; Principal Viola Cynthia Phelps; and Principal Cello Carter Brey. The group formed in January 2017, during the Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary season, and made its debut as the solo ensemble in John Adams’s Absolute Jest in March 2017.
The Quartet will start the program with the delightful Haydn Quartet Op. 72, No. 2 and end the first half with the iconic Dvorak’s “American” Quartet. Mihae Lee will join them for the brilliant Schumann Piano Quintet in the second half.
Essex Winter Series’ season continues on Feb. 17 with the Stu Ingersoll Jazz Concert featuring the Midiri Brothers Sextet with special guest Jeff Barnhart performing the music of reeds giants Benny Goodman, Jimmy Noone, Artie Shaw and more.
On March 17, violinist Tai Murray (the 2019 Fenton Brown Emerging Artist) joins the New Haven Symphony Orchestra under the direction of William Boughton for a program featuring Mozart, Prokofiev, Barber, and Hadyn.
The final concert of the series is Chanticleer, known around the world as “an orchestra of voices,” celebrating their 40th year with a program of favorites composers, from Palestrina and Victoria to Mason Bates and Steven Stucky, as well as audience favorite arrangements by Jennings, Shaw and others on April 7.
All performances take place on Sundays at 3 p.m. with the January and March concerts at Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Rd., Deep River; the February jazz concert at John Winthrop Middle School, 1 John Winthrop Middle School Road, Deep River; and the April concert at Old Saybrook Senior High School, 1111 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook.
Seating is general admission and tickets may be purchased by calling 860-272-4572 or visiting www.essexwinterseries.com.
The 2019 season is generously sponsored by The Clark Group, Essex Meadows, Essex Savings Bank, Jeffrey N. Mehler CFP LLC, Masonicare at Chester Village, Tower Laboratories, Guilford Savings Bank, and BrandTech Scientific.
Musical Masterworks welcomes back several internationally acclaimed artists, along with a handful of exciting Old Lyme debuts on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 3:00 pm. We are delighted to present the Musical Masterworks debut of violist Ettore Causa, alongside beloved MM veteran violinists Jesse Mills and Jennifer Frautschi, violist Nicholas Cords, and cellist Wilhelmina Smith.
This program features two masterpieces for string sextet: Arnold Schoenberg’s uber-romantic Transfigured Night, based on the poignant poem bearing that title by Richard Dehmel; and Johannes Brahms’s exquisite G Major Sextet. The concert will begin with a charming and virtuosic duo for two cellos by the French Baroque-era composer, Jean-Baptiste Barrière.
Join Artistic Director, Edward Arron, one hour before each concert for a pre-concert talk about the lives of these composers.
Musical Masterworks’ season runs through May 2019. Mini subscriptions include three concerts and are available for $100 each or individual tickets are $40 for adults and $5 for students. Visit Musical Masterworks at www.musicalmasterworks.org or call 860.434.2252.
Nightingale Acoustic Cafe hosts ‘Sweet Saturday Nite’ this evening, Saturday, Jan. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Sheffield Auditorium of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme at 4 Ferry Rd., Old Lyme CT.
Join this special event to hear The Sound — A Teen Jazz Collective. Their performance will incorporate rich tones and sweet harmonies peppered with the jazz nuances..
All the members of the group are teenagers, who have already mastered the art of performance, and will put on a show almost guaranteed to bring you to your feet.
Opening the show will be Nightingale’s newest performers, Reno Haylon and Michael DeGaetano.
Tickets at the door are $10. Desserts and coffee will be available.
College Steps is launching a new program for Fall 2019 at Connecticut College to provide supports for young adults living with social, communication, or learning challenges through a unique, individualized, and peer-based model serving high school transition students interested in a college experience prior to graduation, those exiting high school, as well as students already enrolled in college.
College Steps’ primary goal is to prepare students for meaningful careers and autonomy after graduation from college, placing a strong emphasis on self-advocacy, social competencies, employment, and independent living skills. Students work with trained peer mentors who are supported by a full-time, on-site Program Coordinator at Connecticut College.
Prospective students, families, school district personnel, and advocates interested in learning more about this exciting new initiative are invited to attend public information sessions hosted by Family Wise Solutions on Friday, Jan. 11 and Saturday, Jan. 12, with light fare catered by Mystic Market.
Register at admissions@collegesteps.org to confirm attendance.
Attendees will learn about specific services offered, including the individualized support model, admissions process and associated costs.
These information sessions will be held at Family Wise Solutions at 4 Broadway Avenue Extension (3rd Floor), Mystic, CT 06378. *The location is on the 3rd floor of the building and unfortunately there is no elevator access. Reach out at admissions@collegesteps.org to arrange an individualized meeting if
this does not meet your needs.
The priority application deadline for Fall 2019 enrollment with College Steps at Connecticut College is March 1, 2019.
Additional information is available at www.CollegeSteps.org.
Would you like to be able to do something in the event of an overdose?
The Lyme-Old Lyme Prevention Coalition is hosting a Community Narcan Training session Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall
The purpose of this training is to put the opioid reversal agent, Naloxone, in the hands of the community, and the family and friends of individuals at risk of overdose.
At the completion of the training, attendees will receive a (2pk) Naloxone Nasal Spray kit.
Training includes:
. Overdose Prevention Strategies
. Signs & Symptoms of Overdose
. How to Administer Naloxone
. Good Samaritan Law
. Support Information & Resources
The training will be presented by Rayallen Bergman, Community Coordinator, SERAC (Southeastern CT Regional Action Council)
For information or questions contact: Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau 860-434-7208 www.lysb.org
Every time a life is saved, that person has an opportunity to enter into treatment and get the support they need to recover.
Prevention works … Treatment is effective … People do recover
Looking for an opportunity to learn much more about Rogers Lake?
The Lyme/Old Lyme Rogers Lake Authority will host Professor David Post of Yale University at their next monthly meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Post will give a presentation titled, “Alewives, and the Ecology and Evolution of Rogers Lake.”
Post and his associates have been undertaking studies on Rogers Lake for over 15 years.
He will discuss his team’s findings and observations along with the impact of alewives on fishing and water quality. Surprisingly, alewives impact both water quality and bass fishing in Rogers Lake.
The event will be held at the Rogers Lake West Shores Association
Clubhouse, 75 Rogers Lake Trail in Old Lyme.
All are welcome including Rogers Lake residents, fisherman and concerned citizens
(Press Release) State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and members of the Southeastern Connecticut legislative delegation have submitted a bipartisan bill for the 2019 legislative session that would amend Connecticut’s existing state laws to allow for online and in-person sports betting at Connecticut casinos.
The proposed law would include age and location verification requirements designed to block online access to persons under the age of 21 from betting on sports.
Since last May, when the United States Supreme Court struck down a 1992 federal law banning sports wagering, eight states now offer legalized sports betting, including nearby Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. New York has passed enabling legislation but has not yet instituted sports betting, and several other U.S. states – including Connecticut – are now considering it.
Rhode Island – which just launched sports betting in November – estimates it will collect $11.5 million in new state revenue in its first seven months of operation.
“Connecticut needs to play catch-up with surrounding states if we’re serious about modernizing our existing gaming industry. Fortunately, we can do that with a relatively simple regulatory fix,” said Sen. Osten, who represents Ledyard and a portion of Montville, home to Connecticut’s two Native American tribes that already operate gaming casinos.
She continued, “The U.S. Supreme Court decision last year paved the way for the expansion of private-sector sports betting, and I think Connecticut is in a good position to take advantage of that. We have the infrastructure with the tribal casinos, we can use the new revenue, and we’ve got bipartisan support. This should be an early session success story.”
“Neighboring states are already ahead of Connecticut on sports betting, but I think it’s an issue we can quickly catch up on that will have positive employment, economic and revenue impacts on Connecticut, “ said Sen.-elect Norm Needleman (D-Essex).
He noted, “Two of Connecticut’s top-10 largest employers will benefit from this bill. The U.S. Supreme Court has already cleared the way legally, so I believe it’s incumbent on us as state policymakers to do what’s necessary to remain relevant and profitable in a rapidly expanding new national industry.”
The bill, with the current working number of LCO 578, is co-sponsored by Sens. Osten, Steve Cassano, Paul Formica, Heather Somers, and Sen.-elect Needleman, and by state Reps. Ryan, Christine Conley, Emmett Riley, Joe de la Cruz, Susan Johnson, Doug Dubitsky, Mike France and Holly Cheeseman.
Playing on their home court, Old Lyme crushed East Hampton Monday evening ultimately winning by 70-29. Coach Kirk Kaczor said by email, “The boys played their best game of the season.”
Aedan Using led the team with an extraordinary 21 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Brady Sheffield added 11 points and, in Kaczor’s word, “… did a fantastic job of setting the tone on the defensive end.”
Connor Hogan added 10 points.
The win advances the Wildcats to 6-1 overall and 6-0 in the Shoreline Conference.
The guest speaker at the Monday, Jan.7, 2019 meeting of the Connecticut Valley Camera Club (CVCC) will be professional nature photographer Michael Milicia. He will give a presentation titled, “Focus on Sharpness”.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Lymes’ Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Rd., Old Lyme, Conn. All are welcome. There is no admission charge.
Capturing fine detail is often a critical element of a successful image. This presentation will explore a variety of tools and techniques which help to maximize image sharpness. Milicia will take an in depth look at the many features and tuning options of today’s autofocus (AF) systems and how to best take advantage of them.
Other topics to be covered will include live view AF, mirrorless AF, back button focus, tripods and heads, long lens technique, handholding, and microfocus adjustment.
Milicia’s love of the outdoors is rooted in his time growing up in the rolling hills of rural Western Pennsylvania. After earning a Computer Science degree at Carnegie-Mellon University, he embarked on a 27-year-career as a Software Engineer which included stints at IBM, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Hewlett-Packard, as well as graduate studies at Syracuse University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
In 2005, he left the software industry to pursue a second career as a Nature Photographer specializing in birds and wildlife.
He strives to create images that include an artistic element and have an aesthetic appeal that transcends their role as natural history documentation. Motivated by a love of nature, Milicia has a fascination with wildlife, and the never-ending challenge of finding that perfect combination of good light, cooperative subject, attractive setting, and beautiful background that allows him to create an artistically pleasing image.
His passion for photography is rivaled only by his passion for teaching photography. During his years as a Software Engineer, he was continually faced with the need to analyze complex subjects and break them down in a well organized, step-by-step manner that made them easier to understand and communicate.
He finds that this approach also works quite well when teaching the technical aspects of photography. He enjoys teaching at all levels, whether it is helping beginners get acquainted with the world of digital photography or helping more experienced photographers take their images to the next level.
The CVCC is dedicated to offering its membership the opportunity to become better photographers. The group offers a variety of presentations and interactive workshops to help members expand their technical and creative skills. Photographers of all levels of experience are welcomed.
The club draws members from up and down the river, from Middletown to Old Saybrook; from East Hampton to Old Lyme; and along the shoreline from Guilford to Mystic.
For more information, visit the club’s website at https://ctvalleycameraclub.smugmug.com. CVCC meeting dates, speakers/topics, and other notices are also published on the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CTValleyCameraClubPage.
Old Lyme soundly defeated Haddam-Killingworth 67-47 yesterday evening. Aedan Using led the Wildcat scoring with 18 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and four assists.
Brady Sheffield contributed with 16 points joined by Jared Ritchie and Connor Hogan with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Haddam-Killingworth’s scoring was led by Matt Wills with 20 and Jimmy McGoey with 14.
Old Lyme is now 5-1 overall and 5-0 in the Shoreline Conference.
Playing at home Friday night, the Old Lyme boys’ basketball team defeated Portland 79-41. Their delighted coach, Kirk Kaczor, noted, “It was a great team effort with seven players scoring nine or more points.”
Jared Ritchie led the scoring with 16 points while Brady Sheffield notched 11 to add to his six assists. Aedan Using meanwhile had 10 rebounds.
The boys lost 59-51 away Thursday evening against Daniel Hand High School in Madisaon. Brady Sheffield led the scoring for the ‘Cats with 17 points and Ray Doll chipped in 11 and took eight rebounds.
Nick Donofrio led Hand with 24 points.
Measure supports House efforts to use congressional authority to obtain tax returns in closed session
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) on Friday in reintroducing the Presidential Tax Transparency Act to require sitting presidents and presidential nominees to release their tax returns to the public. Murphy and Wyden first introduced this legislation in May 2016 after then-presidential candidate Trump broke his promise to release his tax returns.
“Presidents have a lot of power—they can unilaterally change federal contracts, influence foreign governments, and impose sanctions. Americans deserve to know if the foreign policy decisions presidents make are based on the best interests of the country or made to benefit the president’s pocketbook. President Trump’s bizarre history of nonsensical foreign policy decisions could easily be explained by his or the Trump Organization’s financial ties to countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia. This legislation would ensure Americans know the truth about President Trump and every other presidential candidate, and will prevent the Trump administration from stonewalling congressional oversight efforts,” said Murphy.
The Presidential Tax Transparency Act requires sitting presidents to release their most recent 3 years of tax returns to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). It also requires that, within 15 days of becoming the nominee at the party convention, presidential nominees must release their most recent 3 years of tax returns to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Should the sitting president or future candidates refuse to comply, the Treasury Secretary will be required to provide the tax returns directly to the OGE or FEC respectively for public release.
Section 6103 of the U.S. tax code grants the Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee authority to obtain the president’s tax returns from the Treasury Department. According to reports, House Democrats plan to use this authority to demand Trump’s tax returns, but Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has not said whether he would comply.
Joining Murphy and Wyden in introducing the Presidential Tax Transparency Act are U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin, (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
A one-page summary of the legislative proposal can be found here. The bill text can be found here.
