Senator Bob Casey hopes manufacturing is on President's agenda

(Washington) -- Pennsylvania's senior US Senator is hoping President Obama's State of the Union address tonight includes a mention of manufacturing.

Democrat Bob Casey says investments in industry will create jobs in the commonwealth.

He also wants the president to promote education programs to close the so-called "skills gap."

"We've got to make sure that we're putting in place strategies that will lead to a high-skilled workforce so these companies have the workers that they need," Casey says. "I hear that a lot from folks in Pennsylvania."

Casey supports research and development tax credits, the promotion of American products abroad, and government partnerships with small and mid-sized manufacturers.

You can hear the State of the Union and Republican response tonight at 9 on witf 89.5 and 93.3 as well as on witf TV.