AP sources: Obama seeking new payroll tax cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials tell The Associated Press that President Barack Obama will ask Congress in his prime-time speech to deepen existing payroll tax cuts for American workers as part of a jobs program that totals nearly $450 billion.

These officials also say the president will ask lawmakers to give a payroll tax cut to employers as well, as he looks for ways to cut into a U.S. unemployment rate of 9.1 percent.

At the same time, Obama is expected to ask lawmakers to approve new money to build schools and demolish vacant housing and separately to allow states to hire teachers and police.

The officials, who are outside the White House, provided the details only on condition of anonymity ahead of the president's speech Thursday night.