SALT LAKE CITY — President Barack Obama will deliver his first State of the Union speech of his second term Tuesday night, with much of the focus expected to be on the economy and creating jobs.

Following his progressive vision in his inaugural address last month, Pres. Obama will look to define his second-term agenda as he details a myriad of key issues he hopes to tackle in the next four years.

While the actual topics of Obama's speech have yet to be disclosed, the White House has already given a hint as to what the president will be touching on by describing his week of events. The following are some of the key issues Obama will likely address.

Economy

Pres. Obama spent much of the 2012 presidential campaign cycle defending the economy and job growth against Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Now, the president will have to describe how he intends to keep the economy growing, particularly with the impending budget cuts expected in March if Congress doesn't act quickly.

Early projections for the year have the economy growing by a meager 1.4 percent and an unemployment rate that is not expected to fall below 7.5 percent, according to the Congressional Budget Office. In January, the unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent, indicating the economy is likely to stay on its roller coaster-like ride for the immediate future

Expect the president to describe his plan to improve infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy and education as a means for improving the overall economic outlook.

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Obama to stress jobs, Afghan war troop withdrawal

Seeking to focus on nation-building at home, President Barack Obama will use his State of the Union address to call for more spending on infrastructure and manufacturing, while also announcing the withdrawal of 34,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan within a year.

Education

Obama has emphasized in recent speeches he believes the key to future success — whether in the economy or life in general — is providing a quality education to the nation's children. The president has turned to several studies that show the United States is consistently behind in its quality of education, particularly in providing early childhood education.

The president will likely not describe major changes to the current education system, but will remain firm that education is a top priority to his administration. Expect something about early childhood education and making it affordable to all parents, like new preschool programs for children 3 to 4 years old.

Many studies have indicated that much of a child's future success in life can be traced to their early education behaviors and learning patterns.

Energy and the environment

Obama will likely put forth an energy policy to expand alternatives to fossil fuels and to encourage more innovation in energy industries. The policy will likely involve job creation, improving infrastructure and encouraging more energy-efficient industries.

While climate change will likely not be discussed in depth, expect the president to touch on the importance of reducing carbon emissions and improving the overall environment with advances in energy technology.

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Gun control

It's the topic everyone tuning in to the State of the Union will expect to hear about. Following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, the rhetoric has intensified about gun control and the necessary steps needed to move past the many shootings nationwide.

In a press conference following the Newtown shooting, Obama said it was time to address the issue of gun control and that the nation "can't tolerate this anymore. We are not doing enough and we will have to change."

"A majority of Americans support banning the sale of military-style assault weapons," Obama said at a press conference on Dec. 19. "A majority of Americans support banning the sale of high-capacity ammunition clips. A majority of Americans support laws requiring background checks before all gun purchases so that criminals can't take advantage of legal loopholes to buy a gun from somebody who won't take the responsibility of doing background check at all."

As a result, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., reintroduced legislation that would ban more than 150 types of guns. The bill is modeled after the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban that expired in 2004.

Obama will likely not stray far from his comments made back in Dec., and will propose a ban on assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition and laws requiring background checks for all firearms sales.

Likely, though, all comments made Tuesday night will not overshadow what Obama says about gun control. The issue of gun control will continue to be a hot-topic issue for many Americans.

Immigration reform

In late January, a bipartisan group of eight senators approved an immigration measure that would provide a path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people who are in the country illegally, increase border security and allow temporary workers to stay.

Obama is expected to endorse a similar immigration measure, which would grant citizenship to 11 million illegal immigrants. The proposal would likely improve middle-class wages for all Americans.

Rights for LGBT's

Obama will likely encourage Congress to pass legislation that would give equal rights to LGBT individuals, including the right to marry. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal on California's controversial Prop. 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, which could possibly add to the president's proposal to Congress.

Last year, Obama instructed the Department of Justice to stop defending DOMA, and has since said LGBT couples should have equal rights to marriage.

Countering voices

Following Obama's address, Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rand Paul, R-KY, will deliver counter responses. Rubio, who is seen as a front-runner for the 2016 presidential race, will deliver the Republican response, while Paul, the son of staunch libertarian Rep. Ron Paul, will deliver the Tea Party response.

Many see the two countering responses as a start to the 2016 presidential race, with both senators likely favorites for the Republican Party. The direction and future of the Republican Party will likely be more evident following Rubio and Paul's addresses.

Second-screen "facts"

The White House has created an "enhanced version" of Obama's speech, which will feature charts, facts and other information as the president speaks. Additionally, the State of the Union will be streamed live on the White House's website.

The Republican Party, too, will be encouraging people to visit their website during Obama's speech, where House Republicans will respond to the statements made during the address.

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