OHIO– You can watch President Donald Trump deliver the 2020 State of the Union live on Spectrum News 1 at 9 p.m. on February 4. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will give the Democratic response, with reaction from our Spectrum News 1 team.

The annual speech is an update from the President to the legislative branch of government about how the country is doing and what the chief executive wishes to accomplish in the upcoming legislative year. There are many things to expect in this year’s speech, and many will affect the lives of Ohioans.

According to Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, the president “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” It’s also important to note that while an invitation from the speaker is customary, ​a president can only speak in front of a joint session of Congress if the House and Senate both agree to allow it.

We’ve outlined some key points the President could address and the impact they could have on Ohioans.

  • The Economy

The president will focus on prosperity and issues affecting America's working families. It is an economy that has proved solid and durable.

Nine months before the election, the economy keeps growing steadily if only modestly. Unemployment is at a half-century low.

And consumers, the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, continue to spend. Average pay is rising faster than when Trump took office three years ago, with the largest percentage gains now going to lower-wage workers.

America's manufacturing sector is struggling, a reflection of Trump's trade conflicts. High corporate debt levels have sparked concerns. Some analysts also worry that the Federal Reserve's ultra-low interest rates have helped feed risky bubbles in stocks or other assets.

• Immigration and the Border Wall

This subject will likely continue to be front and center. Consider H-1B visas, for example, which allow U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, such as medicine, research, and high tech. Guest worker programs are also popular among many Midwest farmers who need extra labor. Other noteworthy topics include travel ban countries, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and, possibly, sanctuary cities.

In Ohio, Global Cleveland wants to highlight and celebrate the impacts immigrants have on Cleveland.

• Security, Safety, and Guns

Will there be a push for more funding for law enforcement, including Ohio Police and local law enforcement to combat terrorism, domestic-terrorism, threats, and drugs? The 2nd Amendment may have a place in the discussion, and Ohio residents will have a keen interest after the tragic shooting in Dayton this past summer.

• Infrastructure

Call for using federal money to pay for big-budget infrastructure projects is something that President Trump has in common with the Democrats, who control the House in this Congress. Airports are high on his improvements list. Roads, bridges, and general infrastructure projects. 

Infrastructure is an area where the President can likely find common ground with Democrats and an issue that is important with Ohio voters.

• Health Care

There could be a discussion about the cost of health insurance. What’s on the horizon when it comes to health care and the cost of prescription medication? 

Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) recently tweeted that a new analysis by Patients For Affordable Drugs uncovered 524 drug price spikes in the first week of 2020, spotlighting widespread pharmaceutical industry price-gouging that underscores the urgent need for Congress to address the issue. Ohio Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Cincinnati) describes his vote on the prescription drug bill in this Spectrum News 1 article.

Recently, Representatives Randi Clites (D-Ravenna), Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview), and Senator Bob Hackett (R-London) rolled out new legislation that aims to stop predatory price gouging from pharmaceutical intermediaries in this Spectrum News 1 report.

The topic for Ohio is especially important as a report ranks Ohio 46th relative to other states on our “health value” which tells us that Ohioans live less healthy lives and spend more on health care than people around the country.

• Farmers

Farms are an essential part of the fabric of Ohio, and President Trump may deliver a shout-out to the Farm Bill and midwest farmers. You can learn more about Ohio farmers, and their struggles in our “Year in Farming” reports.

• Military

Veterans and the military are often talking points for State of the Union addresses. How will President Trump modernize the U.S. military for future wars? Will we hear about the recently launched Space Force and what the goals are for this new branch of the military?

• Working with Democrats and Impeachment

The President’s relationship with Congress has changed drastically since his last annual address to a joint session of lawmakers, and especially during the impeachment proceedings. Democrats have control of the House of Representatives and how President Trump continues to deal with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will likely have a significant role in shaping D.C. politics until the next election, and beyond.

President Trump will recognize special guests throughout the speech. They include:

  • Buzz Aldrin - He and long with Neil Armstrong were the first men on the moon. Aldrin is an advocate for space exploration
  • Debra Bissell, Heather Armstrong, and Madison Armstrong - Debra Bissell's parents were killed by an illegal immigrant in Nevada last year. Bissell is joined by the Davids' granddaughter and great-granddaughter
  • Ashley Evans - A recovering opioid addict who is 1 year sober
  • Alice Johnson - Johnson was serving a mandatory life sentence without parole for charges associated with a nonviolent drug case. Trump granted her clemency in 2018

You can see all of the guests here.