In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama proposed a long list of economic initiatives, including raising the U.S. minimum wage to $9 an hour, creating "manufacturing-innovation institutes" and increased investment in clean energy. He said it is the task of today's generation to "reignite the true engine of America's economic growth -- a rising, thriving middle class." Good middle-class job creation "must be the North Star that guides our efforts," Obama said.