Brian Faler is reporting for Politico New York in a surprise decision July 29, federal Judge Carl Nichols ordered lawyers for President Donald Trump, House Democrats and the state of New York to find a compromise in the legal battle over Trump’s state tax returns. Nichols told the parties he wants them to outline possible ways forward in the dispute by 6 p.m. Tue., July 30. Trump is demanding a temporary restraining order to prevent Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal from taking advantage of a newly passed state law that would give him access to Trump’s New York tax filings. Trump is challenging the underlying law, which authorizes state officials to share the filings if requested by Neal. Neal is separately suing for the president’s federal tax returns. Trump lawyer William Consovoy argued in a hearing Monday that Democrats do not have a legitimate legislative reason for seeking the returns, Neal’s lawyers said the court does not have the authority to get involved because such a request would be part of Neal's legislative responsibilities. Nichols, a Trump appointee, directed the three sides try to work out the issues on their own. He wants them to “set forth any agreement they have reached — or in the event they are unable to reach agreement, their respective positions — regarding how this case should proceed.” Read the full story at Politico New York