The President Wants a Balanced Budget that Reflects Our Values. Today, the President convenes an economic conference in Columbus, Ohio, where he will take a first-hand look at how his economic strategy has worked in the Midwest. The President will stress his commitment to signing a budget that reflects our values -- opportunity, family, community, and responsibility -- by:
o INVESTING IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING so America's families can thrive in the new economy.
o HONORING OUR COMMITMENT TO AMERICA'S ELDERLY, helping them live with the health and economic security they deserve.
o PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH so our children grow up in a clean and safe world.
o REWARDING WORK over welfare and providing tax relief for middle class families.
o BALANCING THE BUDGET to lift the burden of debt off our children.
"I won't let [Congress] raise taxes on working families $48 billion. That is not the right way to balance the budget, it isn't fair, and it won't happen. These bills undermine our values -- our values of supporting both work and family, our values of being responsible and creating opportunity. They are not necessary to balance the budget."
President Clinton
Thursday, October 19, 1995
President Clinton Believes in Providing Opportunity for All Americans . President Clinton believes the American Dream is for every family and child. That's why his economic strategy aims to give all Americans the tools they need to thrive in the new economy. The President's strategy is designed to:
o Expand opportunity -- creating High-Wage Jobs.
o Give Americans the Education and Training they need to thrive in the new economy - making computer literacy and college education available to every student.
o Investing in Our Children by balancing the budget.
o Open Foreign Markets for American goods to create high-wage jobs here at home.
The Clinton Administration Economic Record in the Midwest is Strong. The economy of the Midwest has improved significantly during this Administration:
o The region has seen a growth of almost 1.5 MILLION JOBS in the private sector during this Administration -- more than twice as many as during the previous four years.
o Ohio alone has added 268,000 JOBS during the Clinton Administration.
o Unemployment rate in the region has dropped from 6.3 percent when President Clinton took office to 4.9 PERCENT in August -- well below the national average.
o Incomes in the Midwest grew at a rate almost TWICE the national average from 1993 to 1994 -- 3.5 percent income growth in the Midwest.
o The Midwest Economy -- the challenging transition from the "Rust Belt" to a more diversified economy with thriving manufacturing and new hi-tech and service sectors.
o Education and Economic Opportunity -- education as the key to higher incomes and more job security for Americans.
The President Believes Education is the Key to America's Future. The President is committed to making sure that American families have the education and training that will help them build more prosperous futures. As Congress cuts the budget, the President believes we must balance the budget while strengthening investments in education.