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The Dual Role of State Attorneys General in American Federalism: Conflict and Cooperation in an Era of Partisan Polarization

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  • Paul Nolette

Abstract

A key development during the Obama Administration was the increasing importance of state attorneys general (AGs) in national policymaking. This article examines the dual role that AGs played during the Obama years. The first role was highly contentious, with Republican AGs leading several multistate challenges to Obama Administration priorities and successfully limiting President Obama’s policy legacy. The second role was more cooperative, involving increasing coordination between AGs and their federal counterparts in national enforcement efforts. Relying on case studies in the areas of immigration enforcement, climate change regulation, and the oversight of for-profit higher education, this article highlights several crucial trends concerning the activities of these important state-level actors.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Nolette, 2017. "The Dual Role of State Attorneys General in American Federalism: Conflict and Cooperation in an Era of Partisan Polarization," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 47(3), pages 342-377.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:publus:v:47:y:2017:i:3:p:342-377.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/publius/pjx036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Colin Provost, 2003. "State Attorneys General, Entrepreneurship, and Consumer Protection in the New Federalism," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 33(2), pages 37-53, Spring.
    2. Frank J. Thompson & Michael K. Gusmano, 2014. "The Administrative Presidency and Fractious Federalism: The Case of Obamacare," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 44(3), pages 426-450.
    3. Kenneth K. Wong, 2015. "Federal ESEA Waivers as Reform Leverage: Politics and Variation in State Implementation," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 45(3), pages 405-426.
    4. Paul Nolette, 2014. "State Litigation during the Obama Administration: Diverging Agendas in an Era of Polarized Politics," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 44(3), pages 451-474.
    5. Cynthia J. Bowling & J. Mitchell Pickerill, 2013. "Fragmented Federalism: The State of American Federalism 2012--13," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 43(3), pages 315-346, July.
    6. SHOR, BORIS & McCARTY, NOLAN, 2011. "The Ideological Mapping of American Legislatures," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 105(3), pages 530-551, August.
    7. Kirsten H. Engel, 2015. "EPA’s Clean Power Plan: An Emerging New Cooperative Federalism?," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 45(3), pages 452-474.
    8. Shanto Iyengar & Sean J. Westwood, 2015. "Fear and Loathing Across Party Lines: New Evidence on Group Polarization," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 59(3), pages 690-707, July.
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    1. Shannon Conley & David M Konisky & Megan Mullin, 2023. "Delivering on Environmental Justice? U.S. State Implementation of the Justice40 Initiative," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 53(3), pages 349-377.

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