Legislation was filed this week to keep people who have been convicted of tax fraud out of public office.
Senate Bill 3636 would require candidates to provide to the State Board of Elections notarized certification that he or she has not been convicted of tax fraud and has not been found by any taxing body or court to have intentionally engaged in acts of fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation to achieve a reduction in the amount of taxes due or to avoid paying taxes that would otherwise be owed.
The legislation would also require the State Board of Elections to provide election authorities with a list of names of these candidates and would be prohibited from placing them on the ballot.
Proponents of the bill say those who defraud taxpayers should not have the right to represent them.