in my home state of kentucky, novellus is pushing ahead with a factory in guthrie. they said their decision was caused b ts favorable economic environment reinforced by the significant, positive impact of tax reform. it's a national trend. just yesterday the national association of manufacturers released data showing that optimism among american manufacturers is above 95%, the highest level ever -- ever recorded. small business owners agree. industry surveys show that more of them are looking to hire than at any time since the year 2000. no wonder the job market is already better than it has been in years. unemployment at an 18-year low, more than two-thirds of americans saying it's a good time to follow a quality job, the highest in 17 years. here's a remarkable mact fact. there are now more job openings across the country than there are americans looking for work. it's the first time that has ever happened since we started tracking the relevant data. and the optimism and prosperity unleashed by tax reform are part of the reason why. the worst legislation in histor