ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN KENTUCKY
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky:

• 15% more new jobs per year -- 34,070 vs. 29,750 average during the previous 4 years.
• 21% more new private sector jobs per year -- 27,339 vs. 22,675 average during the previous 4 years.
• Over 2 1/2 times as many new manufacturing jobs per year -- 6,470 vs. 2,350 average during the previous 4 years.
• The unemployment rate has dropped from 6.3% to 4.6%.
• Business failures have dropped 29%.

What President Clinton's Accomplishments Have Done for the People of Kentucky:

19 TIMES MORE KENTUCKY FAMILIES RECEIVE A TAX CUT THAN A TAX INCREASE: As a result of the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, 236,592 working families in Kentucky will receive a tax cut. This compares to an increase in the income tax rate for only the 12,491 wealthiest taxpayers in Kentucky.

TAX CUT FOR 17,550 SMALL BUSINESSES IN KENTUCKY: The President helped entrepreneurs, proprietors, and other small businessmen and women by expanding the annual expensing allowance from $10,000 to $17,500. About 17,550 small businesses in Kentucky are likely to benefit from the expansion of the expensing allowance this year alone and many more will benefit over the coming years.

543,000 KENTUCKY 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 543,188 workers in Kentucky, and protects the jobs of 32,632 workers in Kentucky who are likely to use unpaid leave this year alone.

185,600 STUDENTS AND FORMER STUDENTS IN KENTUCKY WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM STUDENT LOAN REFORMS: Approximately 185,600 Kentucky borrowers -- 129,900 current borrowers and 55,700 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.