September 11, 1992 THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA FOR AMERICAN RENEWAL o Challenging the World: The President's prescription for worldwide economic expansion includes the North American Free Trade Agreement; a network of free trade agreements (FTAs) across the Atlantic, the Pacific and in our own hemisphere; and additional negotiating authority for the President to permit expedited FTAs with a host of countries. Combined, these initiatives will work to complement our worldwide security presence and thereby increase exports and the number of American jobs. o Preparing Our Children and Fixing Our Schools: President Bush is leading the charge toward education reform. In April 1991, he announced AMERICA 2000, his strategy to improve graduation rates and achieve excellence in schools. AMERICA 2000 will establish: -- World class academic standards and voluntary national exams. -- School choice for parents for public, private and religious schools. -- Flexibility for teachers from rigid bureaucratic controls. -- Innovative "break-the-mold" New American schools. o Sharpening Business' Competitive Edge: To create abundant capital and extinguish unemployment, President Bush wants to strengthen small businesses with $6 billion in loan guarantees, support civilian R & D linked to a research extension network, and revamp our costly legal system through product liability reform and the Access to Justice Act. o Promoting Economic Security: The President's comprehensive plan to safeguard the future of all Americans provides for: -- job training proposals featuring universal coverage; skill grant vouchers of up to $3,000; and tripling the resources currently devoted to training and adjustment. -- assistance to young Americans through the Youth Training Corps and the National Youth Apprenticeship Program. -- accessible, affordable and high quality health care for everyone. -- retirement security through pension portability. o Leaving No One Behind: President Bush knows that the path to a better life lies in property ownership and pride through work. He has worked to speed the attainment of the American Dream through enterprise zones, housing vouchers, and improved human services programs including welfare reform which stresses workfare. o Rightsizing Government: The President has proposed strong measures to control government spending including allowing taxpayers to direct 10% of their returns toward deficit reduction; a balanced budget amendment; and $72 billion in specific spending cuts. To restructure and revitalize the bureaucracy he plans to consolidate departments, agencies, and bureaus; cut the operating budgets of the White House and Congress by 33%; and cut the salaries of federal employees earning above $75,000 by 5%. # # #