The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 10, 1993 -9 Clinton, Gore u By ANDREW TAYLOR DAILY STAFF REPORTER President Clinton unveiled the administration's plan to "reinvent gov- ernment" this week amidpiles of excess regulations and swarms of re- porters on the South Lawn of the White House. -ter "The govern- ment is broken and we intend to fix it," Clinton promised. He said if all of his administration's recommenda- tions are implemented, the government will save $108 billion over the next five years and eliminate more than a quarter million employees. The recommendations for this gov- ernment tune-up arepartof the National Performance Review, a six-month in- vestigation into the nation's bureau- cracy headedby Vice PresidentAl Gore. Clinton wholeheartedly endorsed the commission's book of more than 800 ideas to cut waste and reduce red tape. Some of the proposals include clos- ing hundreds of government offices around the country, and requiring gov- ernment agencies to compete with pri- vate businesses. One suggestion would benefit the auto industry by allowing the National HighwayTransportationSafetyAdmin- istration to grant automakers more ex- emptions from highway safety stan- dards and permit them to develop new safety systems. Other proposals would have an im- mediate impact on citizens. The Internal Revenue Service could begin to allow people to pay taxes with credit cards, and simplify tax forms. The Social Security department would begin to answer 800-number calls. The document says the proposed elimination of 252,000 jobs would re- duce the federal payroll by 12 percent and save more than $40 billion. This reduction would reportedly be done through early retirements, attri- tion and job buyouts; however, admin- istration officials concede layoffs are possible. "We couldn't change what needs to be changed without running into oppo- sition," Gore said, "but the ground has shifted. The world has changed. The American people are demanding change." Pointing to layoffs by large corpora- tions like General Motors and IBM, Gore said the "battening down of the hatches" would not be "done easily." The report recommends closing thousands of field offices for the De- partments of Agriculture, and Housing and Urban Development. Gore estimated more than half the plan will require varying degrees of Congressional approval, while other recommendations can be activated by an executive order from Clinton. He added that the date and how the plan would be presented toCongresshadnot yet been determined. Many Republicans welcome the idea nveil government of improving government efficiency. "American people have heard far too many stories about government waste andmismanagement,"saidMichi- gan Rep. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph). "We have our marching orders, and it's time toputreform proposals into action and truly reduce govermnent spend- ing." Clinton claimed support for this pro- gram crosses party lines. "Make no mistake about this: this is one report that will not gather dust in a warehouse," he pledged. Many Michigan Congress members wereimmediately supportive of theplan. "This initiative will finally start bringing the operations of the govern- ment into the 21st century," Rep. John Conyers (D-Detroit)told press. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said the plan seeks to change problems than have gone on for decades. "But it won't happen without great follow-through and tremendous effort, because there is always resistance to change," Levin said. Gore's report was prepared with the advice of thousands of federal employ- ees, independent consultants and busi- ness leaders. Although many of the rec- ommendations can be found in past govemmentreformreports, both Clinton and Gore are optimistic that this time the system can be changed. AP PrOTO- President Clinton gestures as he and Vice President Al Gore stand by a forklift with reams of federal bureaucratic rules and regulations outside the White House Tuesday. The president and vice president unveiled plans to cut, consolidate and reshape the government, saving $108 billion by the century's end. /0 READ THE DAILY. I 0 AT& AT&" - ,4 ,a, N rVua eCoupon Expires Odober 15193 HIGH QUALITY BEDDING AT LOW WHOLESALE PRICES x$100 Off Any Full Size Or Queen Size Bed * Twin $54.95 ea pc, POSTURE1 *FuII $6995ea.p I 1 * Queen $99.95eaP. , Custom I with coupon Orders I 1 3055 PACKARD Within i I ANN ARBOR 'L Hur 1 (1 block Eastof Pa tt)__XP____Hours I S677 -47 29 Hours 10 AM-7 PM i set GO TO OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL Put your college degree to work in the Air Force Officer Training School. Then, after graduating from Officer Training School, become a commissioned Air Force officer with great starting pay, complete medical and dental care, 30 days of vacation with pay per year and management opportunities. Learn if you qualify for higher education in the Air Force. Call USAF HEALTH PROFESSIONS TOLL FREE 1-800-423-USAF I nwites All International Students To Attend The CA u, Hello From America Part* co-sponsored by The International Center September 11, 1993 8:00 pm to 12:00 am The International Center FREE PHONE CALLS ANYWHERE IN THE WC TO )RLD! nwin. 10 0 } 0 0 4 0 I -W TM Itrodudng a wining team of peanut diocohte candes1 blue and gold.Adelidousnew wayto show your sdioolspritl Pick up your FREE SAMPLE at the Bookstore this Friday or around the stadium Saturday. ( a