State, North Bay lawmakers praise president's State of The Union vision (w/video)

Regional and California lawmakers, all Democrats, hailed President Barack Obama’s words Tuesday night as a forceful speech with a bold and optimistic vision that sets a clear agenda for his final two years in office despite fierce Republican opposition.

Rep. Mike Thompson, whose 5th District represents parts of Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Contra Costa and Solano counties, said Obama’s agenda will strengthen the middle class and “ensure our nation’s economic recovery is reflected in the day-to-day lives of hardworking American families.”

He supported the president’s plans for a free community college program, tax code changes and infrastructure investments “that put people to work and paychecks in pockets.”

Sen. Barbara Boxer said Obama has good reason to speak confidently about the future, with a falling unemployment rate, a historic streak of private sector job gains and a healthy reduction of the deficit.

“I strongly support his plan to boost the middle class by raising the minimum wage, tripling the child care tax credit and investing in our infrastructure,” she said.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein echoed the president’s support of higher education for all and tax changes that would benefit the middle class.

“The president is right to call for tax reform and the elimination of loopholes that only benefit the rich,” she said. “We must then use those proceeds to invest in education and child care to give real opportunity to working families.”

Thompson also spoke on the political climate, which sees Republicans as a majority in both houses of Congress with pledges to veto some of Obama’s favored legislation, including health care and immigration.

“Our economy is at a turning point and we cannot let political divisiveness derail our economic progress,” he said. “This new Congress gives us a fresh opportunity to move past partisan gridlock and to work together to make sure we’re a country where everyone has a fair shot at getting a quality education, finding a job, buying a house, raising a family in a safe community and retiring with dignity.”

You can reach Lori A. Carter at 521-5470 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @loriacarter.