[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)] [March 7, 1997] [Page 262] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]Statement on the National Economy March 7, 1997 Today we learned that the economy is continuing to generate good jobs, almost 600,000 jobs in the first 2 months of this year alone. That's good news for American workers and their families. The American economy has now created nearly 12 million new jobs since I took office. Now it's time to keep this American job engine on the move by passing a balanced budget plan that invests in education and our future. Our 1993 economic plan has helped spur this strong job growth, while cutting the deficit by 63 percent, from $290 billion in 1992 to $107 billion in 1996. Now we must cut the deficit to zero while investing in our people. My budget will do just that. I look forward to working with the Congress to get the job done by passing a balanced budget plan.