Gov. Bill Clinton's National Economic Strategy has found an audience, as his presidential campaign steamrolled through the south and midwest these past two weeks.
"It's time for a revolution in the American workplace," Gov. Clinton said in a news release. "(A revolution) that will radically raise the status of the American worker and tear down the Berlin Wall between labor and management."
The Arkansas governor's proposed economic reforms include several new tax credits, a national apprenticeship program, more protection for unions and the controversial middle class tax cut and capital gains tax cut.
Clinton would slash middle class taxes by 10 percent and balance these cuts with a tax increase for those people who earn more than $200,000 annually.
"This will provide a quick stimulus to the economy," said Ann Henry, a news secretary for Clinton. Henry was quick to add that these changes would be long term.
The Arkansas governor also hopes to establish a tax credit for parents, Henry said. This proposed credit would amount to about $5,300 per year for those who fall in the 15 percent tax bracket.
For businesses, Clinton has proposed slashing the capital gains tax and creating an investment tax credit.
"The investment tax credit is especially aimed at the small and medium sized businesses," Henry said. "The capital gains tax cut encourages entrepreneurship."
Clinton also plans to sign the Worker Fairness Bill, which would ban the permanent replacement of striking workers, Henry said.
"By signing the Worker Fairness Bill, Clinton hopes to preserve the collective bargaining process," Henry said.
In addition to this, Clinton hopes to repeal Section 14B of the Taft-Hartley Act. This "right-to-work" act has allowed states to prohibit companies and unions from signing a contract requiring union membership of all employees. Clinton's home state of Arkansas is a right-to-work state.
Another goal of the Clinton administration would be to create a national apprenticeship program that would enable high school graduates who aren't bound for college to train for high-quality jobs, Henry said.
"We need a new organization of work, where workers at the front lines make decisions, not just follw orders." Clinton said in a news release.



