By ensuring there is an infrastructure and environment that permits middle-income and lower-income residents to–not just survive–but thrive. A strong middle class is the backbone of a strong economy. We must ensure that affordability and quality of life initiatives are firmly embedded in all of our efforts so that childcare providers, nurses, teachers, students, aides, healthcare attendants, bus drivers, retail salespeople, cashiers, cooks, custodians, musicians and artists–the most important functional elements of our economic growth machine–the folks who foster the culture that makes Austin the fertile ground of creativity that enables technical minds to cultivate innovation, must be protected and supported and must be equitably permitted to share in the promise of Austin that we all dream about.