UPDATED: Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton released his tax returns Friday, following the lead of his main Democratic opponent and continuing the pressure on Republican Pat McCrory to do the same.
Dalton's records show he made $104,951 in 2011, about $20,000 less than the previous year. The decrease represents Dalton entering more money into the state's 401k plan, his campaign said.
The campaign initially attributed the decrease to a voluntary pay cut, per a request from the governor, but corrected the statement Saturday.
Dalton released two years of tax forms, just as former Democratic Congressman Bob Etheridge did Feb. 29 when he filed to run for office. The tax returns became an issue after the state Democratic Party began urging McCrory to release his taxes as a matter of transparency. McCrory and Democratic state Rep. Bill Faison have refused to do so citing privacy concerns.
A candidate for public office is not required to release tax returns and only must file a financial disclosure form. But Dalton said candidates should allow greater scrutiny. "I firmly believe that candidates seeking public office should be held to a higher standard of transparency than basic law requires," Dalton said in a statement. "If you want to serve as governor, the people of North Carolina need to be able to trust you. You ought to be able to show them how you have made your money. I challenge Bill Faison, Pat McCrory and the rest of my opponents to join me in releasing their tax returns."
Document(s):
Daltontaxes.pdf
Comments
Mr. Clean: the only f/t
March 18, 2012 - 8:52am — appstman12Mr. Clean: the only f/t "gubmint salary" Walter Dalton has collected has been his Lt. Gov. salary the past three years. He did not run as a team with Beverly Perdue and has a strong record of working with all groups on matters that benefit all North Carolinians. Sure, disagree with his positions on issues where you have differences, but I hope that the citizens of this state will come to realize that, in Walter Dalton, they have an opportunity to elect that rarest of creatures: a political figure who is truly an open, honest, solid citizen.
Dalton shows with tax return that he dependent on the taxpayers
March 17, 2012 - 4:09pm — mrcleanOnly income is from his gubmint salary.He has nom idea of the private sector.
What are McCrory and Faison Hiding?
March 17, 2012 - 11:25am — MalleusMaleficarumWhat are Pat McCrory and Bill Faison hiding? Why won't they release their tax returns? Why won't they release financial statements? Here's a guess: they are ashamed of their massive personal wealth accumulated by robbing poor and middle class citizens via corporate interests and their bilking clients dry. Just guessing, buty I don't think they are hiding their charitable contributions.