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Investing in the Future: Increasing Public Investment
We must invest more in our people, in their jobs and in the future...
Bill Clinton
Even after economic recovery is assured, our real economic challenges
remain long term. The Administration's vision of public investment to
improve our people's productivity involves initiatives in a wide range of
critical physical and human capital priorities.
Rebuild America
Transportation
While our economic competitors have invested heavily in their
infrastructure, we have not done as well. To regain our economic edge, we
must invest more. We will upgrade our nation's roads, bridges, mass
transit, and airports; support high-speed rail links between major cities;
and create "information highways" that link homes, businesses, schools and
libraries to databases and public records. These initiatives will put
Americans back to work, spur productivity, and make transportation safer,
faster and easier for all Americans.
DOT/Expand the Federal-aid highway program to the levels contained in the
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). Full-funding of
ISTEA will maintain conditions and performance on the nation's most
important roads, the National Highway System. It calls for $2.6 billion in
obligations in 1994 above baseline spending amounts. The total increase
through 1997 is $5.6 billion in outlays, targeted to high priority
projects. This initiative will create approximately 14,000 new jobs in
1994, and about 150,000 over a four year period.
DOT/Accelerate "Smart cars/smart highways" (part of Federal-aid highway
program). The Intelligent Vehicle-Highways Initiative (IVHS) (also known
as "Smart cars/smart highways") will improve traffic control systems, warn
drivers of dangerous situations, and make more efficient use of the
existing highway infrastructure. It will combine state-of-the-art
communications, warning systems, electronic displays, and computer
technology. IVHS also has the potential to make innovative highway policy
such as "congestion pricing" a reality. The new funding would increase
advanced technology development (including artificial intelligence,
machine vision, and other defense-related technologies) that will make the
highways of the next century both safer and more efficient. 1997
obligations will exceed the baseline by $100 million and 1994-1997
obligations will exceed the baseline by $345 million, a 50 percent
increase over the baseline.
DOT/Increase funding for mass transit capital improvements. This proposal
implemented through the Federal Transit Administration's formula grant
programs will upgrade rail facilities and equipment by beginning to
eliminate a rail investment backlog recently estimated at $14 billion. The
additional funds will also replace ancient buses, vans and rail cars still
in the U.S. transit fleet. These newer vehicles will be not only safer and
more efficient, but also more accessible to disabled persons. Over four
years an estimated $1.2 billion will be invested (outlays), creating about
83,000 jobs.
DOT/Investment in magnetic levitation (maglev) and high-speed rail
transportation. Maglev and high-speed rail systems can meet the
transportation needs of several of the nation's high-density corridors.
These systems could relieve congestion, improve air quality, reduce
consumption of petroleum-based fuels and improve safety. The funds could
be used for construction of a maglev prototype and/or to support the
start-up of private or State/local high-speed rail projects. Total
increased outlays: over 1994-1997 about $646 million; 1997 $258 million.
DOT/Alcohol-related highway safety grants and other DOT capital. These
grants to States will support programs that reduce alcohol-related traffic
accidents and increase the use of safety belts and motorcycle helmets.
Other DOT capital funds two important safety and environmental-protection
projects in the maritime area: (1) state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Systems
(VTS) in busy ports and harbors, which reduce maritime accidents and the
threat of hazardous materials and oil spills; and (2) replacement of
seagoing and coastal buoy tenders many of which are over 50 years old. The
new vessels carry oil recovery systems and require smaller crews, saving
operating costs. Total increased outlays: over 1994-1997 $201 million;
1997 $88 million.
DOT/Increase funding for airport grants. Investing in airport development
projects at both large and small airports will speed air travel, link
remote communities with opportunities elsewhere, and open up airports to
different aircraft and aviation uses. These projects include building or
expanding runways to increase capacity, removing obstructions to improve
safety, or adding terminal facilities and airport taxiways to speed the
movement of airplanes on the ground. Noise abatement projects permit these
improvements to occur while minimizing the impact on surrounding
communities. Outlays over 4 years: $108 million. 1997 outlays: $44 million.
DOT/Increase funding for air traffic control modernization. Growth in air
travel is expected to result in more than a 25 percent increase in
aircraft operations at our major airports in the next 10 years. The
Federal Aviation Administration's multi-year air traffic control
modernization program, which will help address this growth includes new
radars, computers, controller workstations and communications equipment,
and the supporting R&D. Benefits will include reduced air travel delays,
more efficient aircraft routing, fewer accidents and the more
cost-effective operation of the air traffic control system. Investment
(budget authority) over 4 years: $720 million. 1997 investment: $200
million. Over 2,000 jobs will be created.
DOT/Public land highways and Indian reservation roads. Many national
parks, forests, and Indian reservations are located in rural areas of the
country where roads are unpaved or impassable. Good roads ensure that
visitors have safe access to national parks and forests, and are critical
to economic development opportunities on Indian reservations. Investment
in upgrading these roads will reduce the acknowledged backlog of projects
in excess of $15 billion. Estimated outlays: $295 million in 1994-1997;
$153 million in 1997.
Environment
A healthy environment means a better future for generations of Americans
to come, and it also means jobs. The investments outlined here will create
tremendous new opportunities for Americans to develop advanced systems to
recycle, treat toxic waste and clean our air and water. Together, these
investments prove that there is no choice between spurring economic growth
and protecting the environment that we can and must do both at once.
EPA/Drinking water state revolving funds. Provide $599 million in 1994 and
$1 billion per year for 1995 to 1997 in new grants for low-interest loans
to help municipalities comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
which is estimated to require $10 billion in water infrastructure upgrades
between now and 1998. Estimated outlays: over four years $1.3 billion; in
1997 $692 million.
EPA/Clean water state revolving funds. Provide $1,198 million in 1994 and
$2 billion per year for 1995 to 1997 under a new authorization for
capitalizing Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). These SRFs would
make low-interest loans to municipalities for construction of projects to
address water quality problems. If these capitalization grants are
leveraged in the financial markets (as allowed under the Clean Water Act),
States could have up to $6 billion available annually for clean water
project loans. Funding for waste water (as well as drinking water)
projects in rural areas can be obtained also through USDA loans and
grants. Estimated outlays: over four years 1994-1997 $2.7 billion; 1997
$1.4 billion.
Interior and USDA/Natural resource protection and environmental
infrastructure initiative. Building on the stimulus initiative, this
proposal would protect and rehabilitate America's inventory of natural and
cultural assets, restore the facilities that protect these resources, and
improve public access to them. This funding would help to eliminate the
backlog of resource protection projects, facility maintenance,
rehabilitation and construction and other similar projects in rural and
urban areas. The work would be located at resource areas managed by the
Department of the Interior (National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife
Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Indian Affairs), and by
the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service). This investment would
create more than 5,500 jobs in 1994. It calls for an estimated investment
of $1.5 billion in 1994-1997 outlays; $509 million in 1997 outlays.
Interior/Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) safety of dams. In 1989, the
Department of the Interior's Inspector General reported that more than
half of the high-risk dams on Indian reservations were in poor or
unsatisfactory condition. This proposal will ensure that urgently needed
rehabilitation and repair work can proceed. It calls for outlays of $59
million in 1994-1997; $23 million in 1997.
Reduce backlog of water resource Corps of Engineers cyclic maintenance
projects. Corps of Engineers water projects provide flood damage
reduction, inland and harbor waterway transportation, hydropower, and
environmental restoration benefits. The projects, though, are aging: more
than 50 percent of these projects are over three decades old. Nearly one
quarter exceed 50 years of age. In spite of a growing backlog, resources
for these projects have stayed largely constant. Estimated expenditures:
over four years $544 million; 1997 $160 million.
EPA/Watershed resource restoration. This proposal would double the current
funding level of $50 million annually by 1995 for non-point source grants
under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Non-point source pollution, such
as runoff from farms, mining sites and city streets is now the largest
cause of pollution in our Nation's waters. Reductions in non-point source
pollution will help restore watersheds and estuaries, leading to increased
numbers of fish and other aquatic life, and improving fishing and
recreational opportunities in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Estimated
outlays: over four years $139 million; 1997 $47 million.
DOE/Cleanup of non-defense sites and uranium enrichment facilities. The
Department of Energy is responsible for the management and disposal of
radioactive and hazardous wastes resulting from research and uranium
enrichment activities conducted by the Department of Energy. The
investment supported by this Administration reflects the emphasis that it
places on reversing the imbalance in priorities, by placing more priority
on the environment. Outlays will increase $220 million between 1994 and
1997, and $107 million in 1997 alone.
USDA/Forests for the Future. Vice President Gore stated that "forests
represent the single most important stabilizing feature of the Earth's
land surface" in his book Earth in the Balance. The Administration
proposes to invest $30 million in 1994 and $50 million in each of the next
four years, towards the international goal of reducing world-wide
deforestation. At the 1992 Rio "Earth Summit", the U.S. proposed that all
countries join in doubling international forest assistance. This
investment will be a down payment towards that commitment, to fund initial
partnership activities with foreign nations and domestic and international
non-governmental organizations. Funds would be used, in part, to support
integrated resource management, assist scientific research on tropical
forests and biodiversity, assist local communities in forest resource
management, improve inventory and management of large forests, develop
institutions that can attract private investment in forest conservation,
and reforest degraded lands. Estimated outlays; over four years $170
million; 1997 $50 million.
NOAA Weather Service modernization. NOAA is now in the process of
modernizing National Weather Service systems. Under the Administration's
plan, by the turn of this century, NOAA will operate one of the most
advanced weather warning and prediction networks in the world. New
observation systems such as doppler radars and weather satellites will
provide for more accurate and timely forecasts of severe weather events
and for more reliable forecasts. These improvements will translate into
lives saved and damages averted. They will also benefit all sectors of the
economy that rely on accurate warnings and forecasts for planning.
Estimated investment (budget authority): $35 million in 1997; $293 million
over 1994-1997.
EPA/Environmental technology. This proposal would increase funding for
environmental engineering and technology development by $36 million in
1994, a total of $626 million through 1998, and a total of $1.85 billion
over nine years. EPA currently allocates about $120 million annually to
these activities. The focus of this initiative will be long-term research
and pollution prevention by EPA, other Federal agencies, and the private
sector. The goal is to develop more advanced environmental systems and
treatment techniques that can yield environmental benefits and increase
exports of "green" technologies. This investment will aid in the
transition away from a defense-oriented economy, by stimulating the
increased use of private-sector R&D resources for environmental
quality-related purposes. Estimated outlays: over four years 1994-1997
$271 million; 1997 $127 million.
Expand EPA's voluntary "green" programs. EPA launched its "Green Lights"
program two years ago to encourage Fortune 500 companies to convert
profitably into more energy-efficient lighting, which will reduce
electricity generation and greenhouse gas emissions. EPA identifies
profitable opportunities for companies to conserve energy and enlists
participants to install the energy conservation measures. As of October
1992, Green Lights participants had committed over 2.8 billion square feet
of facility space to the program the equivalent of all the office space in
our eight biggest cities. EPA estimates that expanded "green" programs
such as this one can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75-108 million
metric tons of carbon by year 2000. Estimated outlays: over four years
1994-1997 $69 million; 1997 $25 million.
USDA/Tree planting initiative. Reforestation on the huge tracts of poorly
managed private, nonindustrial forests can result in increased
environmental benefits such as removing more carbon dioxide from the air.
These benefits of tree planting also make it important for urban forests
because of their location in and around population centers. In addition to
the environmental benefits, urban forestry programs can provide productive
seasonal jobs for inner city youth. Estimated outlays 1994 $33 million;
1994-1997 $246 million.
USDA/National research initiative (NRI) grants. Top flight R & D is needed
to assure the continued competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products in
global trade, ensure the food supply's safety and quality, and sustain
natural resources. NRI grants are awarded competitively after a stringent
peer-review process to ensure that the most qualified research proposals
are chosen. The NRI funds research in animal and plant biotechnology
(including genome mapping), food safety, sustainable agricultural
production practices, and technologies to manufacture new agricultural
materials. Because the competitive grants program focuses primarily on
basic research, the results of many projects would be useful to scientists
in other disciplines. Five hundred more projects will be funded each year
by this increase. Estimated increased outlays: over four years $188
million; in 1997 $110 million.
USDA/Forestry research initiative. Managing the Nation's forest resources
relies increasingly upon scientific information and technology. This
includes areas as diverse as understanding forest ecosystems and the
wildlife/urban interface, to research on extending the use of wood as a
raw material. This investment will allow the Forest Service and other USDA
research agencies to increase the breadth and depth to which forestry
research areas are investigated, providing the necessary information to
help the Nation develop sound forest-related policies that will both
provide resources to meet ever-increasing demands from the population and
sustain forest ecosystems. The initiative would be funded at $287 million
over four years. Estimated outlays: 1994 $16 million; 1994-1997 $261
million.
Rural Development Initiative
Family farmers have made a unique contribution to this nation's growth,
feeding our people and caring for our land. This initiative would provide
resources to improve rural infrastructure, which provides the necessary
underpinning for rural economic development. It would also directly assist
rural communities and businesses to improve the quality of rural life and
increase employment opportunities in rural areas.
USDA/Increase RDA rural water and waste water loans and grants. Federal
and State regulators report that drinking water and sewage treatment
systems serving small, mostly rural populations currently have the highest
rates of noncompliance with Federal environmental standards. To comply
with clean water standards set by EPA, rural America's water and waste
water needs total roughly $10 billion by the year 2000. Often these small
rural communities are unable to meet these expensive standards without
Federal assistance. The Rural Development Administration (RDA) administers
a water and waste water loan and grant program that targets rural
communities of up to 10,000 in population whose average income is at or
below 80 percent of State median income. This proposal increases RDA loan
authority from $600 million to $780 million, and its grant authority from
$390 million to $510 million in 1994; and to $900 million and $590 million
respectively each year 1995 through 1997. Additional funding for drinking
water and waste water construction is proposed through EPA for new
drinking water and clean water grants to State revolving funds. Estimated
RDA outlays: over four years 1994-1997 $331 million; 1997 $176 million.
Community and business assistance. This initiative would provide Federal
assistance to rural communities, businesses, and individuals, by
leveraging Federal investment to allow rural areas to help themselves.
Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) direct loans for community facilities
would be increased by $300 million in 1994, and $500 million thereafter,
for construction of rural health care clinics, fire stations and
equipment, and other vital facilities. Rural Development Administration
(RDA) guaranteed loans for rural businesses and industries would be
increased by $300 million in 1994 and $500 million thereafter to assist
rural businesses in securing start-up capital and financing for expansion,
creating jobs and helping diversify the rural economy. Additional rural
business assistance would be provided through the RDA Intermediary
Relending Program that provides one percent loans to State-sponsored rural
development programs who, in turn, re-lend to rural businesses. These
funds (an additional $150 million in 1994 loans, and an additional $250
million in loans each year through 1997) would be targeted to small,
emerging "micro-enterprises." In addition, RDA rural development grants
would be increased by $30 million in 1994, and $50 million thereafter.
Business assistance would be coordinated through RDA's existing State
Rural Development Councils, whose members include representatives from
Federal, State and local government agencies, as well as the private
sector.
These investments would provide increased employment opportunities for
rural individuals, and upgrade community infrastructure to improve the
quality of life for all rural residents. The investment proposal also
would improve the housing conditions of low-income, rural individuals.
FmHA direct and guaranteed homeownership loans would be increased by $300
million each in 1994, and by $500 million each year 1995 through 1998.
Rental assistance in rural areas would also be provided through housing
vouchers and grants for use in FmHA-financed rental units. Vouchers would
be targeted for areas where rental units are available, but not currently
affordable for low-income persons. A total of $150 million in additional
rental assistance would be provided through these programs in 1994, and
$300 million each year from 1995 to 1998. Estimated RDA outlays for
community and business assistance; over four years 1994-1997 $1,115
million; 1997 $454 million.
Energy
Without thoughtful energy policies, our nation will remain dependent on
foreign oil and special interests. The Administration will launch
initiatives to develop new, clean, renewable energy sources that cost less
and preserve the environment. We will also encourage energy efficiency and
conservation to lower the energy bill for middle-class Americans, and
lessen our vulnerability to events outside our control.
DOE/Increase funding for renewable energy and energy conservation
programs. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 contains new responsibilities for
the Federal government including: (1) establishment of new energy
efficiency standards; (2) authorization for enhanced research programs;
and (3) new demonstration/commercialization programs for renewable energy
and energy conservation. This initiative progressively increases funding
in these areas, reaching an increase of $500 million in 1997, for a
four-year total increase of $1.3 billion. The increased funding will be
distributed roughly equally among the four major program areas: solar and
renewable energy, and industrial, transportation, and buildings
conservation R&D. The largest increases will go to technology transfer and
commercialization, advanced materials (especially ceramics), industrial
wastes and materials processing, electric and hybrid vehicles, and
modeling of building systems interactions. By making a major effort to
develop and commercialize these environmentally "clean" technologies,
substantial energy cost savings will be realized by consumers while
creating enormous opportunities for economic growth and increased jobs.
DOE/Increase weatherization assistance program. This Department of Energy
program provides funds to States to help pay for home weatherization
improvements for low-income citizens. The increase proposed here, $60
million in 1994, and $100 million per year in 1995-97, would be
distributed differently than the typical "formula grants," in order to
increase the leverage received on taxpayer funds. Matching funds (at least
1:1) will be required from States or utilities. This will encourage State
weatherization programs to take advantage of utilities' demand-side
management (rebate and discount) programs, and will ensure that the funds
go to States that demonstrate a serious commitment to low-income
weatherization activities. With 1:1 leveraging of these funds, an
additional 450,000 homes will be weatherized over the currently projected
number for the 1994-97 period.
Increase the energy efficiency of Federal buildings and facilities.
Current Federal investment in energy efficiency improvements is running
around $150 million per year. This initiative will increase spending to
almost $500 million per year by 1996. The cumulative increase will be $1
billion over four years. The four biggest energy-consuming agencies
Defense, Energy, Veterans Affairs and the General Services Administration
will receive increased funding for their in-house energy management
programs directly. In addition, a fund will be established at the
Department of Energy for energy efficiency improvements proposed by all of
the remaining Federal agencies. Over 700 energy managers will be trained
in 1994, and over 2,000 per year in 1995-98. Outside energy audit teams
will review 600 Federal sites in 1994, starting with the largest energy
consumers, and 1,000 sites per year in 1995-98. By 1997 these investments
should payoff heavily, saving the Government about $350 million per year.
Provide increased funds for acquisition of alternative fuel vehicles for
the Federal fleet, and for conversion of existing vehicles. This
initiative provides $18 million in 1994, and $30 million per year from
1995 through 1998 for the purchase and/or conversion of petroleum based
gasoline powered motor vehicles to alternatively fueled vehicles. This
expands upon the Alternative Motor Fuels Act (AMFA) purchases currently
funded by appropriations to the Department of Energy.
DOE/Increase natural gas utilization R&D. This initiative will roughly
double the combined natural-gas spending of the Conservation and Fossil
R&D programs. A critical new feature is to involve segments of the natural
gas industry in the design and operation of research programs. This will
help ensure that the enhanced R&D is relevant to the needs of industry and
the market place. It will also provide an opportunity for private sector
cost-sharing, thereby increasing the overall level of gas research. In the
combined programs, this initiative will increase spending on natural gas
utilization by $14 million in 1994, increasing to $119 million in 1997,
for a total of $263 million in additional spending over that four-year
period.
Build an advanced neutron source a user facility for applied research and
development. This proposal would fund the design and construction of a
national user facility to produce rare isotopes for medical diagnosis,
treatment and research and to perform applied research using neutron
scattering and neutron irradiation techniques. The facility, called the
Advanced Neutron Source (ANS), would be used by approximately 1,000 user
groups each year. Users would come from industry, universities, and
Federal laboratories. The medical isotopes produced could help tens of
thousands of patients. Neutron scattering is a relatively new experimental
technique with applications for materials science, metallurgy,
crystallography, chemistry, industrial radiography, forensic detection of
trace elements, biology, and biotechnology. The heart of the facility
would be a new research reactor that would have the most intense beams of
steady-state neutrons in the world approximately five to ten times higher
than the current world leader at the Institute Laue-Langevin in Grenoble,
France. The total projected cost of the facility is about $2.7 billion.
The proposal adds $243 million in outlays over the baseline between 1994
and 1997.
DOE/Increase funding for fusion energy research. Fusion offers the promise
of abundant energy from readily available fuels with low environmental
impact. The centerpiece of the research effort in magnetic fusion energy
is a collaboration among the United States, the European Community, Japan,
and Russia to build an International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
(ITER). Design and construction of ITER will be a multi-billion dollar
effort that could take two decades to complete. The United States must
maintain a vital domestic research program to support our efforts on ITER.
Yet, the U.S. has not commissioned a major new machine for fusion research
since the early 1970s. This investment would fund moderate growth in the
U.S. fusion energy program above inflation to allow construction of a new
facility, the Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX). Estimated additional
spending 1994 and 1997 is $210 million in outlays; ($90 million in 1997).
Community Development and Defense Conversion
If we are going to rebuild our nation, we will have to do it from the
bottom up. These initiatives will empower the Americans who create jobs
and raise incomes small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the dreamers with
an idea and the initiative to make it work. They will make sure that the
skills of our defense workers are not lost, but harnessed to the peacetime
projects our future demands. And these initiatives will create real
opportunity in America's inner cities because America will not prosper
until our urban areas once again become engines of economic growth.
HUD/Provide additional funding for Community Development Block Grants
(CDBG). Community development projects are an important source of jobs and
economic development both in the short- and long-term. States and local
governments have a backlog of unfunded "ready to go" projects such as
basic street and bridge work, painting and resurfacing, building
rehabilitation, and public service projects. However, the State and local
needs continue to exceed the existing Federal contribution. The
Administration's proposal would provide an additional $690 million between
1994-1998 to continue much-needed investment in America's communities.
This additional funding would directly create about 60,000 jobs over the
next five years, with even more jobs being created indirectly in the local
economy. These funds are targeted at low- and moderate-income residents,
providing assistance in areas with the greatest need. Because communities
can select eligible activities most appropriate to their local
circumstances, this additional funding will help communities where they
need it most.
Enact enterprise zones legislation in order to promote investment and job
creation in Federally-designated zones. The Administration's enterprise
zone proposal will promote entrepreneurship and job creation in distressed
urban and rural communities through a number of employment and investment
incentives. The proposal includes such policies as an employer wage credit
and an expansion of the targeted jobs tax credit in order to encourage
low-income inner-city and rural residents to obtain employment, become
self-supporting, and leave welfare. It also includes investment incentives
designed to encourage individuals to invest in zones. Taken together,
these incentives will be a critical factor in helping poorer cities and
rural areas become economically more vital. Estimated outlays reach $2.4
billion over four years, with 1.2 billion in 1997.
Community Development Banks. Many American communities face problems of
deteriorating housing, loss of jobs, lack of private enterprise, and
declining economic and social infrastructure. A network of community
development banks will be created to provide loans for business and
housing purposes in distressed communities that have previously been
underserved by traditional lending institutions. Government investment and
technical assistance would supplement private funds and expertise to
ensure community development banks' effectiveness in restoring healthy
economic development in these communities. Estimated cost: over four years
$354 million; 1997 $110 million.
SBA/Increase Section 7(a) loan guarantees. This program helps small
businesses struggling to attract bank lending because of the general
weakness of the economy. Building on a stimulus proposal, increased
funding levels will be extended to assure that creditworthy small
businesses have access to capital. These funds will make about 14,000
loans to individuals otherwise unable to expand or start small businesses.
Estimated cost: over four years $501 million; 1997 $157 million.
Defense Conversion Program. With the end of the Cold War, the nation faces
the challenge of the defense transition. How should we address the needs
of the men, women, companies and communities who helped us win the Cold
War but who now feel the impact of declining defense budgets? How do we
best reinvest in the industrial, technological and workforce capabilities
of the Cold War so they can play a role in our effort to make the nation
globally competitive? Our economic plan is designed to face this challenge
and to seize this opportunity.
Our defense conversion program builds on current efforts and increases
investment funding. In the Department of Defense, we will propose
additional funding for dual-use technology programs and for the community
adjustment assistance activities of the Office of Economic Adjustment. In
the Department of Labor, significant new investment funding will be
requested to provide for the training and retraining of America's
workforce, including those parts of the workforce displaced by defense
spending reductions. In the Department of Commerce, we will request
additional funding both for National Institute of Science and Technology
programs helpful to industry and for the work of the Economic Development
Administration supporting the economic diversification of communities hurt
by defense reductions.
These programs will address the need for defense transition assistance in
the industries, the workforce and the communities that experience the
impact of declining defense budgets. In addition, our investment
initiatives in high technology will help stimulate the "market pull" to
provide new opportunities for high technology businesses and the highly
skilled workforce currently in the defense market. To meet this goal, we
are proposing spending for the Departments of Energy, Transportation and
Commerce, and NASA, among others, on such technologies as high performance
computing, aviation and aeronautics, transportation, space and
manufacturing technology.
To ensure that the parts of this defense conversion program work together,
activities will be coordinated through the Executive Office of the
President and interagency committees.
This proposal provides additional funding of $555 million in 1997 for
defense conversion, of which $480 million will go to the Department of
Defense for dual-use technology and manufacturing programs. Funding of $20
million will be provided to DoD's Office of Economic Adjustment and $55
million to the Economic Development Administration in the Department of
Commerce for community diversification. For the programs of the other
agencies described above, additional initiatives in the investment package
include about $2 billion for job training and $4 billion for the
acquisition of high technology products and R&D. Estimated outlays of the
Department of Defense and the Economic Development Administration parts of
this proposal: over four years $1.5 billion; 1997 $520 million.
Revitalizing Technology
To move ahead of our competitors in technological research and
development, this initiative will provide incentives to explore new
technologies. It will create high-wage jobs and help push America toward
the cutting edge of groundbreaking technologies. It will create markets
that encourage the use of defense technology for civilian purposes and
bring together businesses and universities in an effort to ensure that
innovative products have the label "Made in America."
NSF/Enhancing university-based competitive science and engineering
research in the U.S. Studies show that investments in research and
development (R&D) tend to be the strongest and most consistent positive
influence on productivity growth. Most of NSF's investments are in
university-based R&D programs which are competitively selected on their
merit by members of the science and engineering community. These
activities contribute to the Nation's productivity by generating new
scientific and engineering knowledge and contribute to the training of the
next generation of scientists and engineers. In 1992, NSF had $1 billion
of unfunded proposals that were rated excellent through peer review. Thus,
it appears that NSF has the capacity to invest more funds in a broad range
of important research areas, including strategically targeted research in
improving our understanding of the climate system and improved engineering
approaches to mitigate environmental problems; advanced computers and
digital networks; biotechnology; materials processing; advanced
manufacturing; math and science education; and smart highways, bridges,
and other civil infrastructure. This proposal which adds $2.3 billion over
four years, and $954 million in 1997 also includes funds to support the
Nation's university-based research facilities and instrumentation.
Commerce/Increase civilian R&D at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST). America's competitiveness rests ultimately with the
private sector. Yet, the Federal Government has an important role to play
in promoting economic growth, in part by supporting research and
development. This proposal provides aggressive growth for the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST is the only Federal lab
with the principal mission of supporting U.S. industry and has provided a
steady stream of technology support to U.S. firms for over 90 years. This
proposal provides for: 1) an increase of $138 million in 1994, rising to
$680 million by 1997, for the Advanced Technology Program to provide
matching grants for industry-led R&D projects, including funding for
consortia like SEMATECH; 2) over 100 manufacturing extension centers
nationwide by 1997 to assist manufacturers to modernize their production
capability; and 3) doubling the amount of R&D performed in the NIST labs
by 1998. This proposal would increase total NIST funding from $381 million
in 1993 to $1.2 billion in 1997 (budget authority).
Commerce/"Information Highways" Demonstrations. The development of a
broadband, interactive telecommunications network linking the Nation's
businesses, schools, libraries, hospitals, governments, and others could
pay enormous dividends to the U.S. economy. Engineers working on the same
problem, teachers and students, and patients and doctors would all be able
to communicate instantly no matter how much distance separated them. This
proposal builds on the 1993 stimulus initiative by providing new seed
money to "jumpstart" the development of these networks. In 1994, $54
million will be made available to the Department of Commerce for grants to
States, local governments, universities, school systems, and non-profits
to link public facilities in such a network. Between 1995 and 1998, $150
million annually would be made available.
Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology
(FCCSET) initiatives. As the fields of science and technology have
progressed, and as applications of scientific advances have improved, it
has become obvious that a single field of science can have applications in
numerous different areas, governed by different Federal departments and
agencies. In order to coordinate scientific advances among agencies and to
avoid duplication of efforts, the Federal Coordinating Council for
Science, Engineering and Technology (FCCSET) has established interagency
committees.
There are currently six specific areas, which have been identified as
important national research and education activities. They are: improving
our understanding of the climate system, advanced supercomputers and
computer networks, math and science education, materials processing,
biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. The climate initiative, for
example, is focused on understanding the processes involved in climate
change and was a key component of the U.S. action plan in the recent
"Earth Summit" negotiations. The advanced manufacturing initiative will
focus on areas such as intelligent manufacturing cells and computer-based
tools for production design. Over a dozen Federal agencies, including
NASA, Defense, Energy, the National Science Foundation, Commerce,
Agriculture, and the National Institutes of Health, have programs which
address one or more of the six specific areas.
Crosscutting high performance computing (NSF/NIH/NASA/NIST). This
investment builds directly on a stimulus program to develop applications
which use advanced computers and communication networks to solve problems
in health care, education, manufacturing, and more. For example, under a
pilot test in Boston, a physician could transmit images (X-rays, CAT
scans, photos) quickly to a specialist across town for immediate
consultation. This program would be part of the multi-agency High
Performance Computing and Communications program and would be coordinated
by the Office of Science and Technology Policy's Federal Coordinating
Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (FCCSET). 1997 $320
million; four year total $784 million.
NASA/Civil aviation. The quality of the air transportation system has a
direct impact on the quality of life of every U.S. citizen. This
investment option would expand NASA aeronautics research in its support of
the aviation industry and its enhancement of the safety and capacity of
the national airspace system. One area for investment, advanced subsonics
research, would focus on developing technology that would increase the
competitiveness of U.S. commercial transport aircraft and enhance the
safety and productivity of the national aviation system. The other area
for investment, high-speed research, would focus on resolving critical
environmental issues and establishing the technology base for an
economical, supersonic aircraft. These investments will help counter
aggressive government-supported foreign competition. In addition, it will
provide technologies that improve the environmental compatibility of
existing and future aircraft by reducing noise and engine emissions.
Funding will reach an additional $222 billion in 1997, for a four year
total increase of $550 million.
NASA/Short-haul aircraft research. This initiative will expand NASA
aeronautics research to develop technologies for short-haul aviation.
Short-haul aircraft includes commuter aircraft, rotorcraft, and general
aviation airplanes. There are roughly 220,000 short-haul aircraft in the
United States, making up 98 percent of the total civil aviation fleet. To
help bolster the competitive position of the U.S. short-haul industry,
NASA would develop technologies for both rotary and fixed wing aircraft to
enable a new mode of high utility, safe, fast, and direct transportation
linking thousands of smaller communities. The program would take advantage
of ongoing and new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry
cooperation to accelerate application of these advanced technologies to
U.S. aircraft and engine manufacturers. Estimated outlay increase: in
1997, $20 million; over four years, $50 million.
Greatly increase non-defense Cooperative Research and Development
Agreements (CRADAs) at the national labs. Cooperative Research And
Development Agreements (CRADAs) are one of the mechanisms by which the
national laboratories can work with industry to transfer lab-developed
technology and know-how to the private sector. The funds go to the labs to
pay for their share of the jointly agreed-upon R&D in the CRADA. The
laboratory work under each CRADA is proprietary to the private-sector
partner, who also hold the patent rights to inventions made under the
CRADA. The current funding for CRADAs to transfer technology developed by
DOE non-defense programs is $9 million, but there is more demand from
industry for assistance through CRADAs than can be funded with that amount
of money. This investment initiative provides an additional $30 million in
1994 and $50 million per year over the baseline in 1995-97.
Modernizing Social Security Administration computer systems. The Social
Security Administration (SSA) relies heavily on its information systems to
provide services and pay benefits. To meet current and future demands, SSA
and State Disability Determination Services (DDSs) must abandon their
labor-intensive, paper-driven tradition and automate. The proposal would
invest in the pilot tested Intelligent Workstations and Local Area
Networks and (IWS/LAN), creating a standard, state-of-the-art, computing
network for all of SSA and DDSs. The investment funding includes modular
workstations, and design/site preparation/installation. Estimated cost:
over four years $880 million; 1997 $245 million.
Modernize Internal Revenue Service. IRS currently processes tax returns
using technology from the 1960s. These out-of-date systems result in long
delays for taxpayers and extra costs for the Federal government. Tax
Systems Modernization (TSM) represents IRS's effort to move to an
up-to-date, automated approach to processing taxes. With TSM, tax returns
will be processed and stored using modern technology. Tax returns will be
available in electronic files instead of remote warehouses. As a result,
IRS employees will be able to provide immediate responses to most taxpayer
questions over the phone. TSM will enable IRS to reduce the risks and
costs associated with operating their current systems while also improving
their ability to serve the public in the administration of the nation's
tax system into the 21st century. Estimated cost: over four years $1.8
billion; 1997 $0.7 billion.
Housing
These initiatives will help make housing more affordable, and streets and
neighborhoods safer. In conjunction with other measures, they will also
provide the help that the homeless need. By empowering our people, these
measures will go far toward creating real choices for Americans at every
income level and help them achieve the American dream.
HUD/Assist more households with housing subsidies. The Department of
Housing and Urban Development currently provides housing subsidies to 4.7
million low-income and very-low-income households to overcome their
housing problem. Nevertheless, an estimated 3.6 million families and
elderly very-low-income renters still face severe housing problems because
they either have a "worst case need" for housing with (1) rent that
exceeds 50 percent of their income or (2) live in a severely substandard
housing unit. Additional Federal investments are needed to eliminate these
remaining very-low-income rental housing problems. This investment would
substantially increase assistance through HOME grants and housing
vouchers. HOME funds would double to the full amount authorized of $2.2
billion; housing vouchers would increase from nearly 40,000 annually in
1993 to 100,000 by 1998. Estimated investment: over four years $716
million; 1997 $422 million.
HUD/Supportive housing program. This investment is targeted towards the
problem of homelessness. It increases funds for rehabilitation of housing
that serves the homeless as well as other services which seek to address
the root causes of homelessness. The $138 million increase in 1997 and
$241 million over four years represents a doubling of the program.
HUD/Public housing operating subsidies. The rent paid by residents of
public and Indian housing often does not cover the operating costs
incurred by housing authorities. The Department of Housing and Urban
Development's Payment for the Operation of Low-Income Housing program pays
the housing authorities for those operating costs not covered by rental
payments, thus permitting housing authorities to provide and maintain
safe, sanitary and decent housing. This investment of an additional $121
million in 1997 and $206 million over four years, by meeting the estimated
cost of providing quality public housing, will strengthen our nation's
stock of public housing and enable the people who reside there to have
decent shelter.
HUD/Preserving and renovating low-income rental housing. The
Administration proposes to increase funding to repair and restore the
nation's stock of assisted rental housing, most of which is 20 to 30 years
old. Many units are in deteriorated buildings. Many operators of buildings
are also financially troubled. In the worst cases, hundreds of project
operators have defaulted on federally insured mortgages, turning HUD into
the lender and, ultimately, the landlord-of-last-resort. Another 360,000
units of HUD-assisted low-income housing face a problem of a different
sort. These properties are nearing the end of the long-term HUD subsidies
that helped them to remain as low-income rental housing. Without
additional Federal subsidies, some owners could convert these affordable
rental units into luxury apartments or even condominiums, leaving their
low-income tenants out in the cold. Congress created the Low-income
housing preservation program in 1990 to provide landlords the necessary
incentives and subsidies to preserve this federally subsidized low-income
housing as affordable low-income housing. The Administration proposes
increasing funding for this program to ensure that no existing tenant
loses his or her housing benefits as a result of adverse landlord actions.
The cost of this additional investment in preserving and renovating
low-income rental housing will be $858 million over the next four years.
For 1997, spending will total $384 million.
HUD/Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Since 1974, the CDBG
program has been an important source of flexible Federal aid to State and
local governments. CDBG funds directly help fund local economic and
community development projects that benefit low- and moderate-income
residents in large cities and urban counties and smaller communities. The
Administration's proposed investment would directly create more than 7,300
jobs over the next five years, with even more jobs being created
indirectly in the local economy. Because communities can select eligible
activities most appropriate to their local circumstances, this additional
funding will help communities where they need it most. Total spending
would increase $137 million in 1997 and $430 million between 1994 and 1998.
HUD/Crime in public housing. The Administration proposes an Urban
Partnership Against Crime initiative to address the increase in gang- and
drug-related crime activity in many public housing developments across the
country. Crime has exacted a profound and intolerable toll on public
housing residents. Living in a constant state of fear of physical harm,
residents have been robbed of their sense of community and personal
well-being. Meanwhile, they have witnessed an ever-increasing expenditure
of scarce public resources on repairing the damage done by crime to the
physical environments of these developments. This initiative, costing $138
million in 1997 and $312 million over four years, would allow the
Department of Housing and Urban Development to work with public housing
and other local officials in an intensive effort to reduce crime in public
housing. It focuses resources on those developments with greatest need,
and gives flexibility to local officials to develop solutions (like
community policing, neighborhood watches, youth activities) to the
problems of crime in their communities.
HUD/Restore dilapidated public housing. This investment would provide an
additional $138 million in 1997 and $241 million over the next four years
to rehabilitate and restore severely dilapidated public housing projects
that today are not only uninhabitable, but also contribute to the economic
and social problems of the surrounding neighborhoods. These economically
viable public housing units would then provide, once again, decent, safe,
and affordable housing for low-income renters.
Lifelong Learning
Becoming a productive member of the community requires certain basics:
like a healthy, supportive childhood; safe, sound schools; a chance to
serve your country; and the opportunity to be retrained for the challenges
of today's global economy. The Administration's commitment to major
investments in these kinds of "human capital" promises payoffs for the
nation far beyond their original price.
HHS/Full funding of Head Start. Children who participate in Head Start do
better in school and become more productive as adults. By giving them the
caring, stimulating environment they need, Head Start programs enable
at-risk children to become problem-solvers instead of problems. Thousands
of parents and selected studies have testified to the program's success,
but for years our government despite promises has failed to make Head
Start available to all the children who need it. With this initiative, one
of our country's most cost-effective programs will become far more widely
available and help change countless lives. The Administration will
increase funding for Head Start by $3.2 billion in 1997, $8 billion over
four years, achieving full funding for an estimated 1.4 million eligible
disadvantaged children by 1999.
USDA/Head Start-related child care feeding. Pay for meals at Head Start
centers and serve them to the participants added by the Administration's
Head Start initiative; $237 million in 1997; $590 million over four years.
HHS/Head Start related Medicaid. Fund new entrants in the Medicaid program
resulting from Head Start expansion; $116 million in 1997, $275 million
over four years.
USDA/Full funding of WIC program. If our nation is going to prosper, our
children will have to grow up healthy, not hungry. This special
supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC), helps
make sure they do. By the end of 1996, all eligible children ages 1 to 4,
including some 2 million who were not served last year, can be assisted
with the proposed investment of $1 billion in 1997, $2.6 billion over four
years.
HHS/Parenting and family support. These initiatives stem from a simple
reality: governments don't raise children; parents do. These proposals
will empower parents with the skills and the tools they need to help raise
their children. They will support disadvantaged parents, including
activities to help them work with their children at home and parenting
classes, with an investment of $500 million in 1997, $900 million over
four years.
Department of Education/Reforms and initiatives. All American children
need greater access to better education not just to make the American
Dream more available, but to make the American economy more productive.
These initiatives will provide $2.7 billion in 1997, $6.2 billion over
four years, to support reforms and reauthorizations in elementary,
secondary, and postsecondary education, including state and local systemic
reforms, a new SAFE Schools program, student assistance program
improvements, and support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
National Service. The national service initiative will help young people
pay for college and other postsecondary education by serving their
country. In conjunction with income-contingent loan repayment, which will
help Americans take low-paying community service jobs and still pay off
their student loans, the program will provide dramatic new opportunities
to serve our country. Young people will meet pressing national needs in
areas including education, public health, environmental protection, and
public safety. In return for one or two years of service, they will be
able to receive a significant educational benefit. As it enables Americans
of all backgrounds to help themselves and their country at once, the
initiative will reinvigorate American citizenship lifting our country up
and bringing our people together. The Administration's commitment to a
fully realized program of national service is behind its plan to invest
$7.4 billion in the next four years, building from $389 million in budget
authority in 1994 to $3.4 billion in 1997.
Labor/Dislocated workers program. Legislation will be proposed for a new
program to replace and improve upon two existing programs to help workers
who lose their jobs because of restructuring of their industries,
international competition, or defense downsizing to secure rapid
reemployment or train for new careers. The program will cost an additional
$2 billion in 1997, $4.6 billion over four years.
Labor/Job Corps expansion. Provide resources to increase the size of the
Job Corps program by 50 percent by 2001. This will increase the number of
Job Corps participants to 104,000, from the current 70,000. Job Corps
provides remedial education, occupational skills training, supportive and
job placement services to severely disadvantaged youth in its network of
110 residential centers. The plan would finance 50 new residential
centers. The 1997 cost is $202 million; the 1994-97 cost is $341 million.
Labor/Job Corps maintenance. Spend $50 million in 1997 and $105 million
over four years to repair and renovate Job Corps' aging residential
centers.
Labor/Summer youth employment and training program (SYETP). The SYETP
offers economically disadvantaged youth age, 14 through 21, work
experience in minimum wage jobs in public and nonprofit agencies during
the summer months. This investment of $625 million in 1997 and $2.0
billion over four years would finance about 2 million additional summer
youth jobs. The plan includes an enriched program of work experience,
basic skills training, testing and counseling, and closer coordination
with schools.
Labor/One-stop career shopping. This program would make it easier for
adults seeking to change jobs or careers or upgrade their skills to obtain
access to the confusing array of Federal programs and services by
developing "one-stop shop" career centers. Over four years, the proposed
investment is $900 million, $250 million of which is to be spent in 1997.
Labor and Education/Youth apprenticeship. This program would finance a
nationwide system of school- and work-based learning programs for high
school youth who do not plan to attend college, in order to reduce
drop-out rates and help them make a successful transition to meaningful
careers in technical occupations. The proposal provides $500 million in
1997, a total of $1.2 billion over four years.
Rewarding Work
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). In America, no one who works should have
to raise a family in poverty. The EITC currently provides refundable tax
credits to low-income working families with children. By expanding the
EITC, we will assure that a family of four will not be forced to live in
poverty, if one of the parents works full-time at a minimum wage job. The
cost of the entire proposal is $6.7 billion in 1997 and $19.9 billion over
four years.
Welfare Reform. Later this year, the Administration will present a
comprehensive reform plan to end welfare as we know it. The President's
plan will carry out his pledge that no one with a family who works
full-time has to live in poverty, that parents who bring children into the
world should be held accountable for raising them, and that welfare ought
to be a second chance, not a way of life. The plan, coupled with the
Earned Income Tax Credit, tougher child support enforcement to crack down
on deadbeat parents, increased training, parenting, and family support for
moving people from welfare to work, will move toward a time-limited system
of welfare. This will give people on welfare the education and training
they need for up to two years, but after that, require all those who can
work to go to work.
Justice
Justice/Crime initiative. A comprehensive program to support and improve
all aspects of the criminal justice system. The initiative includes: (1) a
new Community Policing/"Cops on the Beat" grant program to localities to
create safer streets and to community policing, thereby building a bond of
trust between citizens and police so that they can work together to fight
crime; (2) a new Police Corps program, to provide scholarships to would-be
police officers in exchange for a commitment to service as a State or
local police officer; (3) a Criminal Records Upgrade program to assist
States in improving their criminal records infrastructure and link with
the FBI's criminal information databases; (4) increased funds to meet
costs associated with detaining and incarcerating the growing Federal
prison population, which has resulted from increased arrests and the
imposition of minimum mandatory sentences; and (5) increased funds for
existing Federal law enforcement activities. The budget authority
investment is $900 million in 1997, $2.8 billion over four years.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)/Enforcement. Increase EEOC
enforcement staff in field offices to provide full enforcement of the
Americans With Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1991. The
proposed outlays are $18 million in 1997, $63 million over four years.
Health Care
HHS/AIDS, immunizations, NIH research, and other public health
initiatives. This investment provides substantial new funding $3.4 billion
in 1997 and $8.2 billion over four years for a number of public health
initiatives including: (1) HIV/AIDS research; (2) research on women's
health issues; (3) the President's plan for increasing childhood
immunizations; (4) teen pregnancy programs, and (4) other efforts to
promote public health.
HHS/Substance abuse prevention and treatment. Challenge grants to the
States to create substance abuse treatment capacity where is it needed
most and for hard-to-treat populations. It will serve 30,000 people in
1994 and more in years after. The outlays are $800 million in 1997, $1.5
billion over four years.
USDA/Food Safety and Inspection Service. Improve the existing meat and
poultry inspection system by increasing the number of Food Safety and
Inspection Service inspectors available in order to ensure that visibly
diseased animals are not processed, slaughterhouses and processing plants
are clean and follow safe food handling procedures, and plant employees
follow proper hygiene. Food safety research would also be enhanced. This
responds to a clear need for improvements, highlighted by the recent food
poisoning outbreak in Washington State. The initiative adds 200
inspectors. The investment is $34 million in 1997, $111 million over four
years, and it would create some 275 jobs in 1994.
Rural Health Initiative. This proposal provides grants and other
assistance to small rural hospitals to upgrade needed services. Grants may
be used to launch integrated health systems and telecommunications links
for remote consultation and diagnosis in low manpower areas. Estimated $50
million in 1994.
VA/Medical care. This four-year investment provides a $2.5 billion
increase over the baseline to ensure high quality health care for veterans
by such measures as providing adequate staff levels to meet requirements
on residency education programs and automating drug dispensing in VA
hospitals.
HHS/Social Security Administration/Disability insurance processing.
Increase resources for the processing of dramatically increased disability
benefit claims by $200 million in 1995-98. This will cut down on the
significant delays that have occurred in recent years and reverse the
general decline in service.
HHS/Ryan White Act. HIV/AIDS is now the ninth leading cause of death
overall. Currently, approximately 1 million people are infected with HIV
in the U.S., and about 60,000 new AIDS cases are reported each year. The
President has pledged to respond to this need by fully funding the Ryan
White Act and increasing Federal support for HIV/AIDS prevention efforts.
To begin fulfilling these pledges this year, this proposal would increase
funding for grants authorized under the Ryan White Act by $120 million in
1994. The proposal includes additional funding of approximately $1 billion
over the next four years.
State and Local Relief. Within the Health Care, Rewarding Work and
Lifelong Learning investment packages, the Administration will design a
program to offset the impact of refugees and undocumented residents on the
budgets of State and local governments, including those in California,
Texas and Florida.
Investment Package: Tax Incentives
We recognize that the only way to lay the foundation for renewed American
prosperity is to spur investment. New investment will create jobs, putting
people back to work today, and will provide the productive equipment that
we need to compete in the global economy.
Our overall program consists of outlays for physical and human capital and
investment tax incentives for the private sector. Outlays for physical
capital will help rebuild the crumbling foundations of the United States,
create millions of high-wage jobs, and smooth the transition from a
defense to a commercial-based economy. Our program will concentrate on the
transportation, environment, and communications infrastructure. The
program of tax incentives will increase private investment over the long
run. Like the outlay programs, these incentives are designed to increase
investment in human and physical capital. These incentives will be
particularly helpful to small business which generates the lion's share of
jobs.
Permanent small business tax credit. As discussed in the stimulus package,
the plan provides that small businesses will now be eligible for a
permanent investment tax credit on their equipment. The credit will
generally be 7 percent in 1993 and 1994, and 5 percent thereafter. Small
businesses operate at the margin and need a permanent incentive to invest,
grow and provide new employment opportunities.
Incentive for investment in small business. The program provides relief
from the capital gains tax for investors in small businesses. This
proposal will allow investors generally to exclude 50 percent of the gains
earned from investment in the stock of a qualified small business (less
than $25 million capitalization) when held at least 5 years. Furthermore,
50 percent of the excluded gain is not subject to taxation under the
alternative minimum tax. The tax incentives will both stimulate job
creation over the short-run and increase investment over the long-term.
Research and experimentation tax credit. The economic plan will
permanently extend the research and experimentation credit. This will
encourage firms to undertake the research necessary to develop the
technological innovations required to increase the supply of good jobs.
Real estate. The plan also permanently extends both the low-income housing
credit and mortgage revenue bond provisions. Doing so will provide a
stimulus to increase the supply of housing for low-income families. In
addition, the program modifies the passive loss rules for persons in
certain real estate trades or businesses, relaxes restrictions on pension
investments in real estate and extends the depreciable life of
nonresidential real estate.
Enterprise zones. This part of the program authorizes the establishment of
a number of enterprise zones. Businesses located in enterprise zones will
be eligible for a wage credit for the hiring of enterprise zone residents
and accelerated depreciation or expensing of investments in enterprise
zone property. In addition, small businesses in qualifying economically
distressed areas will be eligible to obtain low interest rate loans
through tax-exempt financing even if the area is not selected as one of
the zones. Combined with the other tax incentives and other non-tax
initiatives targeted to urban areas, these benefits should help promote
investment and job creation in these areas.
Simplifying and enhancing depreciation provisions for companies subject to
the alternative minimum tax (AMT). As noted in the discussion of the
stimulus package, the plan substantially enhances the investment
incentives for taxpayers subject to the AMT and simplifies the AMT by
using the shorter regular tax depreciable lives for minimum tax as well as
regular tax purposes. Because they reduce the net cost of acquiring
depreciable assets, this proposal will provide a lasting stimulus to
investment for affected companies.
Targeted jobs tax credit; employer-provided educational assistance. The
plan permanently extends these two provisions, thus providing an incentive
for American businesses to continue to invest in human capital. The plan
also expands the targeted jobs tax credit to include workers in an
apprenticeship program. An educated workforce will be more productive and
better able to adapt to the challenges of a modern information-based
economy.
Health insurance deduction for the self-employed. The plan calls for an
extension of the 25 percent deduction for health insurance premiums of the
self-employed through the end of 1993. This will retain the current law
tax treatment of these premiums for affected individuals until the
Administration's comprehensive health care proposals are enacted.
Small issue bonds and high speed rail facilities. The ability to issue
tax-exempt bonds for qualifying small businesses and certain farmers would
be extended permanently under the plan. In addition, in order to promote
the development of high speed rail facilities, tax-exempt bonds issued for
that purpose will not be subject to the State private activity bond volume
limitations.