CSG DC

President Obama focused on what he called “middle-class economics” in his sixth State of the Union address Jan. 20. Many of his plans to boost income and mobility for middle-class Americans—including tax reform and workforce development initiatives—will directly impact state governments. During the national address, the president expressed optimism the economy would continue “growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999.” Obama urged Congress to work with the White House on joint initiatives like trade and cybersecurity reform to continue this progress. But he also promised that he would veto any legislation that would reverse his efforts on immigration, climate change or health care.

In Sheehan v. City & County of San Francisco, the Supreme Court will decide whether the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to arrests.

When police officers entered Teresa Sheehan’s room in a group home for people with mental illness, she threatened to kill them with a knife she held, so they retreated. When the officers re-entered her room soon after leaving it, Sheehan stepped toward them with her knife raised and...

Many congressional leaders have expressed their interest in passing a tax extender bill in the Congressional lame duck session. Around 70 tax credits have expired in 2013 or will expire in 2014. If the president fails to extend these tax credits by Dec. 31, taxpayers will not be able to claim them for the current tax year. These tax extenders represent billions of...

By Lisa Soronen, State and Local Legal Center Director

The Supreme Court will decide in Perez v. Mortgage Bankers Association whether a federal agency must engage in notice-and-comment rulemaking pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act before it can significantly alter an interpretive rule that interprets an agency regulation.

The State and Local Legal Center argues in its...