ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN OREGON
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 Oregon 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 Oregon:

• 85% more new jobs per year -- 47,061 vs. 25,375 average during the previous 4 years.
• Over twice as many new private sector jobs per year -- 43,461 vs. 20,700 average during the previous 4 years.
• 11,200 new manufacturing jobs in 23 months -- after 6,600 lost during the previous 4 years.
• The unemployment rate has dropped from 7.7% to 5.1%.
• Business failures have dropped 22%.
• Home building has increased 20%.

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

12 TIMES MORE OREGON FAMILIES RECEIVE A TAX CUT THAN A TAX INCREASE: As a result of the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, 145,323 working families in Oregon will receive a tax cut. This compares to an increase in the income tax rate for only the 12,350 wealthiest taxpayers in Oregon.

TAX CUT FOR 18,286 SMALL BUSINESSES IN OREGON: The President helped entrepreneurs, proprietors, and other small businessmen and women by expanding the annual expensing allowance from $10,000 to $17,500. About 18,286 small businesses in Oregon are likely to benefit from the expansion of the expensing allowance this year alone and many more will benefit over the coming years.

431,000 OREGON 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 430,843 workers in Oregon, and protects the jobs of 25,883 workers in Oregon who are likely to use unpaid leave this year alone.

215,900 STUDENTS AND FORMER STUDENTS IN OREGON WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM STUDENT LOAN REFORMS: Approximately 215,900 Oregon borrowers -- 151,100 current borrowers and 64,800 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.