ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN
NORTH CAROLINA
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina:

• Over 2 1/2 times as many new jobs per year -- 99,861 vs. 36,875 average during the previous 4 years.
• Over 3 times as many new private sector jobs per year -- 81,548 vs. 23,825 average during the previous 4 years.
• 15,500 new manufacturing jobs in 23 months -- after 28,600 lost during the previous 4 years.
• Unemployment has dropped from 5.5% to 3.8%.
• Home building has increased 18%.

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

21 TIMES MORE NORTH CAROLINA FAMILIES RECEIVE A TAX CUT THAN A TAX INCREASE: As a result of the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, 524,849 working families in North Carolina will receive a tax cut. This compares to an increase in the income tax rate for only the 25,112 wealthiest taxpayers in North Carolina.

TAX CUT FOR 33,713 SMALL BUSINESSES IN NORTH CAROLINA: The President helped entrepreneurs, proprietors, and other small businessmen and women by expanding the annual expensing allowance from $10,000 to $17,500. About 33,713 small businesses in North Carolina are likely to benefit from the expansion of the expensing allowance this year alone and many more will benefit over the coming years.

1,250,000 NORTH CAROLINA 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 1,250,426 workers in North Carolina, and protects the jobs of 75,119 workers in North Carolina who are likely to use unpaid leave this year alone.

155,100 STUDENTS AND FORMER STUDENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM STUDENT LOAN REFORMS: Approximately 155,100 North Carolina borrowers -- 108,600 current borrowers and 46,500 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.