ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN VERMONT
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 Vermont 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 Vermont:

• 9,400 new jobs in 23 months -- after 6,900 jobs lost during previous 4 years.
• 8,400 new private sector jobs in 23 months -- after 9,400 lost during previous 4 years.
• Manufacturing jobs are up -- after 5,700 lost during previous 4 years.
• The unemployment rate has dropped from 5.9% to 4.2%.
• Business failures have dropped 40%.
• Consumer confidence has increased 39%.

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

14 TIMES MORE VERMONT FAMILIES RECEIVE A TAX CUT THAN A TAX INCREASE: As a result of the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, 25,715 working families in Vermont will receive a tax cut. This compares to an increase in the income tax rate for only the 1,865 wealthiest taxpayers in Vermont.

TAX CUT FOR 4,137 SMALL BUSINESSES IN VERMONT: The President helped entrepreneurs, proprietors, and other small businessmen and women by expanding the annual expensing allowance from $10,000 to $17,500. About 4,137 small businesses in Vermont are likely to benefit from the expansion of the expensing allowance this year alone and many more will benefit over the coming years.

79,000 VERMONT 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 78,678 workers in Vermont, and protects the jobs of 4,727 workers in Vermont who are likely to use unpaid leave this year alone.

66,200 STUDENTS AND FORMER STUDENTS IN VERMONT WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM STUDENT LOAN REFORMS: Approximately 66,200 Vermont borrowers -- 46,300 current borrowers and 19,900 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.