ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN
NORTH DAKOTA
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 Dakota 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 Dakota:

• 29% more new jobs per year -- 7,617 vs. 5,925 average during the previous 4 years.
• 46% more new private sector jobs per year -- 7,826 vs. 5,375 average during the previous 4 years.
• Over twice as many new manufacturing jobs per year -- 1,409 vs. 625 average during the previous 4 years.
• The unemployment rate has dropped from 4.6% to 3.7%.
• New business incorporations have increased 213%.
• Business failures have dropped 26%.

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

16 TIMES MORE NORTH DAKOTA FAMILIES RECEIVE A TAX CUT THAN A TAX INCREASE: As a result of the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, 28,986 working families in North Dakota will receive a tax cut. This compares to an increase in the income tax rate for only the 1,796 wealthiest taxpayers in North Dakota.

TAX CUT FOR 3,301 SMALL BUSINESSES IN NORTH DAKOTA: The President helped entrepreneurs, proprietors, and other small businessmen and women by expanding the annual expensing allowance from $10,000 to $17,500. About 3,301 small businesses in North Dakota are likely to benefit from the expansion of the expensing allowance this year alone and many more will benefit over the coming years.

76,000 NORTH DAKOTA 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 76,264 workers in North Dakota, and protects the jobs of 4,581 workers in North Dakota who are likely to use unpaid leave this year alone.

74,300 STUDENTS AND FORMER STUDENTS IN NORTH DAKOTA WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM STUDENT LOAN REFORMS: Approximately 74,300 North Dakota borrowers -- 52,000 current borrowers and 22,300 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.