COMMERCE SECRETARY TAKES BUSH
ECONOMIC GROWTH MESSAGE TO NEW MEXICO
President’s Economic Plan Would Create 12,000 Jobs In New Mexico

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans today told local workers that President Bush’s economic growth and jobs plan would “put the U.S. on the road to economic growth while creating new jobs here in New Mexico.”

Evans acknowledged that the economy was not growing at its full potential, and said that the President proposed his economic plan because not enough jobs were being created in the economy. Evans called the plan “rock solid” and said that the plan would create 1.4 million jobs, including 12,000 in New Mexico.

“There are 12,000 reasons to support President Bush’s economic plan, and each one stands for a job that will be created right here in New Mexico,” said Evans. “This plan will grow the economy, cut the jobs deficit and help those looking for a job find a job.”

Evans also told workers that the President’s plan would help America’s entrepreneurs grow their businesses, which would speed up economic growth and create new jobs for American workers. Evans said that the plan would help 23 million small businesses that create more than 70 percent of new jobs in America.

In his meeting with Evans, Roberto Espat, Executive Vice President of Roses Southwest Paper, expressed his support for the President’s plan. Espat said he is one of the 23 million small business owners that would benefit from the drop in the top marginal tax rate–because he files Roses Southwest Paper’s taxes on his personal return.

As he toured Roses Southwest Paper, Evans discussed the tax cuts individual taxpayers would receive under the President’s plan. Evans told workers that 92 million Americans would receive an average of $1,083 in 2003 with more to come in the years ahead. Evans went on to say that under Bush’s plan, 46 million couples would receive an average of $1,100 and 34 million families with children would receive an average tax cut of $1,473.

Evans later traveled to Santa Fe where he attended a business forum at the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce. Evans told those gathered that “small businesses are the engine that drives the American economy and are at the heart of the President’s plan to grow this economy and create new jobs. The President’s plan gives small businesses the tools they need to purchase new equipment, hire new employees and grow the economy this year and many years into the future.”

In Santa Fe, Evans announced a $1 million Commerce Department grant to the Santa Fe Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission. The grant, made through the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration, will help rebuild the historic steam locomotives for a narrow gauge railroad that carries tourists through the scenic San Juan Mountains and the Carson National Forest between Chama, N.M., and Antonito, Colo. The grant supports the President's Preserve America initiative that promotes the use of historic properties and resources for successful economic development and heritage tourism. The commission and the State of New Mexico matched the federal grant with $250,000.

Albuquerque and Santa Fe are the 33rd and 34th cities and New Mexico is the 19th state that Evans has visited since the President unveiled his economic growth and job creation package in early January. On Monday, Evans was in Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash., where he also discussed the economic plan.