US President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama was appearing on Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress to deliver his State of the Union address.

Here are some of the initiatives he is proposing:

TAX REFORM

Obama calls for increasing taxes on the wealthy to help the middle class. His plan would raise the tax rate for capital gains to 28 percent from 23.8 percent, and close a loophole so that the rich must pay "their fair share" on their inheritance.

Other plans to help the middle class include:

* Tripling the maximum child care tax credit to $3,000. * Creating a federal-state partnership to provide 4-year-olds with quality preschools, and paying for it through a tobacco tax hike. * Cutting taxes for middle-class families with two working spouses.