WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The administration's economic team will head to the Pacific Northwest next week to beat the drum for the president's economic agenda, the White House said.
Team members scheduled to conduct town meetings and forums in Oregon and Washington state on Tuesday and Wednesday are Treasury Secretary John Snow, Commerce Secretary John Evans, Labor Secretary Elaine Chow and Small Business Administration head Hector Barreto.
"The president, during the State of the Union, announced new initiatives to strengthen our economy even more, further reform education and job training, and address the rising cost of health care," spokesman Scott McCellan said. "These officials will focus on these new initiatives and, specifically, what we can do to make sure people are prepared for the new jobs of the 21st century."
President George W. Bush has proposed a teaming up between community colleges and local businesses to ensure workers receive training in needed skills.
