The President's jobs and growth policies have put the
economy on the road to recovery'there is more work to be done. The President
has outlined a six-point plan to create even more job opportunities for
America's workers and keep America the best place in the world to do business.
The plan includes: enabling families and businesses to plan for the future with
confidence by making tax reductions permanent; making health care costs more
affordable and predictable; reducing the burden of lawsuits on our economy;
ensuring an affordable, reliable energy supply; streamlining regulations and
paperwork requirements; and opening new markets for American products and
services.
America is economically stronger when we participate fully
in the worldwide economy. 95% of the world's population lives outside the United
States and represents a vast potential market for U.S. companies. The
President's commitment to promoting free and fair trade will open new markets
for American products and services, bring lower prices and more choices to
American consumers, and create more higher-paying jobs for American workers.
As we recognize the benefits of free and fair trade, we also
recognize that any economic change--whether arising from trade or
technology--can be painful for some workers and their families. We must help
these workers deal with the dislocation and acquire the skills to find
good-paying jobs. The President's FY 2005 budget commits significant resources
to help displaced workers find jobs, and seeks to improve high school education
and strengthen post-secondary education and job training.
Job training and employment assistance: The
President's FY 2005 budget proposes $23 billion for job training and
employment assistance.
Jobs for the 21st Century: In addition to helping
dislocated workers find employment, the President has proposed more than $500
million in his FY 2005 budget for his Jobs for the 21st Century initiative to
help prepare U.S. workers to take advantage of the better skilled, higher
paying jobs of the future. This includes $250 million in proposed funding
targeted to community colleges to train workers for industries that are
creating the most new jobs, and $33 million for expanded Pell Grants for
low-income students who complete rigorous coursework in high school. The
President's plan will also improve the quality of education at our Nation's
high schools and better prepare students for success in higher education and
the job market -- including $100 million to help striving readers and $120
million to improve math education.
America has a choice: It can continue to grow the economy
and create new jobs as the President's polices are doing; or it can raise taxes
on American families and small businesses, hurting economic recovery and future
job creation. A pro-growth economic agenda, a strong education system, and
help for American workers to gain the skills to secure good jobs are the right
ways to respond to the challenges of our growing and changing economy.