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Opportunity for All - In President Obama's last press conference of 2013, a year in which he was able to achieve just two of the 41 items on his State of the Union wish list, he optimistically declared that 2014 will be a year of action. The agenda he will outline in his 2014 speech is perhaps less ambitious but no less hopeful. Here are some of the key initiatives the president will propose. – Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Raise the Minimum Wage - While the president will continue to urge Congress to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 nationwide, he will through executive order raise it for individuals working on new federal service contracts. (Photo: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

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"Starter" Retirement Accounts - Obama will take executive action to create a "starter" retirement savings account that will be made available through employers so that individuals will have a vehicle through which can begin building retirement security with an appropriate balance of risk and return. (Photo: Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Getty Images

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A 21st Century Workplace - The White House, Department of Labor and Center for American Progress will host a summit to set an agenda for a 21st century workplace to ensure the nation's global competitiveness. The event will showcase model laws and policies in such areas as discrimination, flexibility and paid leave. (Photo: Clerkenwell / Getty Images)

Photo By Clerkenwell / Getty Images

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Extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance - The president will call on Congress to pass the bipartisan three-month extension proposed in the Senate, which will help more than 2 million Americans, including the 1.6 million who lost their benefits in December. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit - The Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit provides an average tax cut of about $800. The president would like Congress to expand the credit to workers who do not have children, including non-custodial parents. The administration believes this will "provide a more meaningful work incentive." (Photo: Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images)

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Made in America - Obama will use executive authority to launch four new manufacturing institutes. The goal is to bring together businesses, universities, community colleges and government to develop "world-leading manufacturing technologies and capabilities" that American-based manufacturers can utilize. (Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

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Federal Training Programs - The administration will conduct a "program-by-program review" of federal training programs and work with community colleges to ensure that they are helping people develop the skills required to meet the needs of businesses and help people who are well-trained to find jobs that match their skills. (Photo: Troels Graugaard/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Troels Graugaard/Getty Images

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The Apprentices - Obama will "mobilize business leaders, community colleges, mayors and governors and labor leaders to increase the number of innovative apprenticeships" available in the U.S. (Photo: Moodboard/Getty Images)

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Get Connected - The president will in coming weeks announce philanthropic partnerships with the nation's top Internet and technology companies to connect 20 million K-12 students in 15,000 schools across the nation to the best technology.  (Photo: REUTERS/Adam Hunger /Landov)

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The Real World - The administration will announce this year the winners of a $100 million competition to redesign high schools to teach real-world skills. (Photo: Image Source/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Image Source/Getty Images

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College Bound - The president will ask colleges and universities, nonprofits and businesses to improve access to and completion of higher education.  (Photo: Ana Abejon/Getty Images)

Photo By Ana Abejon/Getty Images

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Energy Efficiency - Obama is calling for new incentives for medium- to heavy-duty trucks that run on alternative fuels and will set new fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty vehicles. In addition, the administration will work with cities, states and tribes to cut carbon pollution through clean energy and energy efficiency. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Fairness for All - The president is urging the House to pass the Senate's bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act to provide federal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers. He is also calling on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would give women more tools to fight discrimination. (Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)