Of the issues facing our state, none is more important or more challenging than the difficulty too many North Carolinians face in earning enough to support themselves and their families. Even in the current economy, when the official unemployment rate is low and parts of the state are thriving, many families struggle to earn enough to put food on the table, afford a decent place to live, cover basic health care expenses, provide adequate care for their children, and otherwise enjoy the essential elements of a decent life. For too many in our state, the American social compact seems broken. They can no longer rely on the promise that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can enjoy a good life for yourself and a better life for your children.