ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN IDAHO
UNDER PRESIDENT CLINTON

President Clinton's strategy to strengthen the economy is based on reducing the federal budget deficit, lowering trade barriers, and empowering workers, families, businesses and communities to succeed. Here are some of the results for the nation and Idaho after the first two years of the Clinton Administration:

Improved Economic and Fiscal Conditions in the United States:

• Under Clinton Economic Plan, the deficit will be lowered by more than $600 billion -- the deficit will be cut for three years in a row for the first time since Harry Truman was President.
• Almost 6 million new jobs created -- private sector job growth rate 8 times faster than during previous Administration.
• Federal government workforce will drop by 272,900 -- creating lowest workforce since the Kennedy Administration.

Improved Economic Conditions in Idaho:

• 30% more new jobs per year -- 22,122 vs. 17,075 average during the previous 4 years.
• 36% more new private sector jobs per year -- 18,939 vs. 13,875 average during the previous 4 years.
• The unemployment rate has dropped from 6.7% to 6.4%.
• New business incorporations have increased 23%.
• Business failures have dropped 13%.

What President Clinton's Accomplishments Have Achieved for the People of Idaho:

20 TIMES MORE IDAHO FAMILIES RECEIVE A TAX CUT THAN A TAX INCREASE: As a result of the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, 61,983 working families in Idaho will receive a tax cut. This compares to an increase in the income tax rate for only the 3,154 wealthiest taxpayers in Idaho.

TAX CUT FOR 6,615 SMALL BUSINESSES IN IDAHO: The President helped entrepreneurs, proprietors, and other small businessmen and women by expanding the annual expensing allowance from $10,000 to $17,500. About 6,615 small businesses in Idaho are likely to benefit from the expansion of the expensing allowance this year alone and many more will benefit over the coming years.

123,000 IDAHO WORKERS PROTECTED BY FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT: The Family and Medical Leave Act allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child, to care for a sick family member, or if they become too sick to work. This law covers about 122,675 workers in Idaho, and protects the jobs of 7,370 workers in Idaho who are likely to use unpaid leave this year alone.

62,400 STUDENTS AND FORMER STUDENTS IN IDAHO WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM STUDENT LOAN REFORMS: Approximately 62,400 Idaho borrowers -- 43,700 current borrowers and 18,700 new borrowers in the next few years -- can take advantage of the new direct student loan program by participating directly in the program or by consolidating guaranteed loans into direct loans. Some will benefit from lower interest rates, and all will benefit from more repayment options, including income contingent repayment.