Obama Finishes State of the Union Tour

Says "government can build 'ladders of opportunity'"

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama was wrapping up his post-State of the Union tour by talking about how government can build "ladders of opportunity" into the middle class.

During remarks Friday at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago, his hometown, Obama was to discuss proposals to raise the federal minimum wage and pair businesses with recession-battered communities to help them rebuild and provide job training. He also was to talk about creating jobs for young people from poor families, and encouraging fatherhood and low-income couples to marry.