ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN WYOMING
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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming:

• The Help Wanted Index has increased 64%.
• Business failures have dropped 38%.
• The unemployment rate has dropped from 5.2% to 4.3%.
• Consumer confidence has increased 15%.
• Home building has increased 21%.
• Home sales have increased 12%.

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

14 TIMES MORE WYOMING FAMILIES RECEIVE A TAX CUT THAN A TAX INCREASE: As a result of the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, 24,038 working families in Wyoming will receive a tax cut. This compares to an increase in the income tax rate for only the 1,704 wealthiest taxpayers in Wyoming.

TAX CUT FOR 2,917 SMALL BUSINESSES IN WYOMING: The President helped entrepreneurs, proprietors, and other small businessmen and women by expanding the annual expensing allowance from $10,000 to $17,500. About 2,917 small businesses in Wyoming are likely to benefit from the expansion of the expensing allowance this year alone and many more will benefit over the coming years.

48,000 WYOMING 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 48,279 workers in Wyoming, and protects the jobs of 2,900 workers in Wyoming who are likely to use unpaid leave this year alone.

15,000 STUDENTS AND FORMER STUDENTS IN WYOMING WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM STUDENT LOAN REFORMS: Approximately 15,000 Wyoming borrowers -- 10,500 current borrowers and 4,500 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.