Obama’s proposals

WASHINGTON - In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama unveiled policies he can implement by executive order, as well as several needing congressional approval.

EXECUTIVE ACTIONS

Create a retirement savings program for lower-income workers. The “starter” investment plan would be made available to millions of private-sector employees who do not have access to a 401(k) or pension.

Boost the minimum wage for workers hired by firms with federal contracts to $10.10 an hour.

Protect environmentally sensitive federal lands from development for energy production.

Begin partnerships with major technology and communications companies to get 15,000 schools access to the latest broadband and wireless technology.

CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL

Increase the earned income tax credit for workers without children and make it available to more of them.

Raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour.

Renew the recently expired unemployment benefits for people who have been without jobs for more than 26 weeks.

Create a new tax credit to promote production of the next generation of clean-burning cars, as well as renew the recently expired credit for production of advanced fuels made from grasses and other plant matter.

Launch new incentives to encourage the use of trucks that run on alternative fuels.