“Tonight, I propose a "Fix-It-First" program to put people to work as soon as possible on our most urgent repairs, like the nearly 70,000 structurally deficient bridges across the country,” Obama said in prepared remarks. This call for $50 billion in “frontloaded” infrastructure investment mirrors the pitch the president made during fiscal cliff negotiations last year and back in 2011. The slight variation in this proposal is that $40 billion would go toward the most urgent projects. The administration could also fast-track the approval of projects. He pulled a similar maneuver with seven projects across five East Coast ports in June.

“And to make sure taxpayers don't shoulder the whole burden, I'm also proposing a Partnership to Rebuild America that attracts private capital to upgrade what our businesses need most: modern ports to move our goods; modern pipelines to withstand a storm; modern schools worthy of our children,” he said. Instead of proposing a new steady revenue source for infrastructure spending or suggesting a gas tax hike, Obama went the familiar public-private partnerships route. This could be pursued either through expansion of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program or by trying again to create a national infrastructure bank.

“To boost American exports, support American jobs, and level the playing field in the growing markets of Asia, we intend to complete negotiations on a Trans-Pacific Partnership.” Obama’s commitment to complete the trade pact with 10 other countries isn’t a surprise. But it does reconfirm that the president’s trade agenda is starting to take shape after a lukewarm first term.

“And tonight, I am announcing that we will launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union — because trade that is free and fair across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs.” That’s the confirmation many in the trade community wanted to hear. The U.S. and the EU have a solid trade relationship, and some compromising on both sides could remove lingering tariffs and harmonize product standards.

“Let’s also make sure that a high school diploma puts our kids on a path to a good job. ...And we’ll reward schools that develop new partnerships with colleges and employers, and create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering and math — the skills today’s employers are looking for to fill the jobs that are there right now and will be there in the future.” Employers in fields ranging from transportation and logistics to nursing complain they can’t find applicants with suitable skills. The president draws on ideas already in play across the country, as high schools and community colleges are trying to match vocational training with companies and industries.

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