For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 24, 2003
Fact Sheet: Taking Action to Strengthen the Economy
Today's Presidential Action
President Bush traveled to Ohio to discuss the benefits of his jobs
and growth plan with local small business owners and workers at the
Timken Company in Canton.
The President is working to grow the economy and create the largest
number of new jobs possible for America's workers. He has proposed a
jobs and economic growth plan that would help create 510,000 new jobs
this year and a total of 1.4 million new jobs by the end of next year.
The President will not be satisfied until everyone looking for work can
find it.
The President called on Congress to act on his economic proposals to
help our Nation's entrepreneurs grow their businesses, speed up
economic growth, and generate new jobs for American workers. He will
work with Congress to ensure that the bill he signs into law contains
all the elements of his plan. And because more tax relief will produce
more jobs, he will work for a final plan that provides at least $550
billion in tax relief.
Ohioans Benefit from the President's Plan
The President's jobs and growth plan would provide needed tax
relief for working families and businesses in Ohio through the
acceleration of tax relief already approved by Congress, elimination of
the double tax on corporate dividends, and new incentives for
businesses to grow. Across the nation, nearly 92 million taxpayers
would have lower tax bills under the President's plan thanks to
accelerated tax relief and eliminating the double tax on dividends.
Tax Relief: In Ohio alone, nearly 4 million taxpayers would receive
relief under the President's plan.
3.1 million Ohio taxpayers
would benefit from acceleration of 10 percent bracket expansion.
1.3 million Ohio families would benefit from acceleration of marriage
penalty relief.
More than 1.1 million Ohio taxpayers would benefit
from accelerated reduction of tax rates.
Nearly 1 million Ohio
families would benefit from acceleration of the increase in the child
tax credit.
Ending the Double Tax on Dividends: The double taxation of
dividends is unfair, counter-productive and damaging to the
economy. The President believes it is fair to tax a company's profits
once, but it is unfair to tax that dollar a second time when it is paid
out to shareholders. According to the Tax Foundation, ending the
double taxation of dividends reduces the tax bill for almost 1.4
million Ohio taxpayers for a total savings of $636 million, or an
average $442 per taxpayer with dividend income. Private sector
analysts have estimated that the value of the stock market would
increase between 5 and 15 percent as a result of this plan. This would
benefit everyone in Ohio who owns stock, including owners of 401(k)
plans and other retirement accounts. And ending the double tax on
dividends will spur investment and create nearly one-third of the new
jobs in the President's plan.
Strengthening Small Businesses and Creating Jobs: The manufacturing
sector accounts for 24 percent of Ohio's economy (as measured by gross
state product), making it the largest economic sector in the state.
When the cost of investment in new equipment and buildings falls
because earnings from these investments are taxed only once instead of
twice, companies will expand, create new jobs, and increase wages. The
tax relief provided by the President's plan would lower the cost of
capital by up to 14 percent, making it easier for businesses to expand
and grow. And small businesses, the engines of job creation, will
greatly benefit under the President's plan, which triples the amount
they can write off on the purchase of new equipment such as computers
and machinery. More than 920,000 business taxpayers in Ohio would have
tax savings to invest in new equipment, hire additional workers, and
increase pay.
For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit
www.whitehouse.gov