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Good morning.

Here’s what you need to know:

Losing a foothold in the middle class

• Working for a state or local government — as a teacher, firefighter, bus driver or nurse, for instance — used to provide a relatively comfortable living. Now, many government workers take second jobs to make ends meet.

With the U.S. population having grown, public sector employees now account for the smallest share of the civilian work force since 1967.

Some say a diminished public sector is vital to economic growth. Others say it’s a threat to health and safety. Regardless, it has led to a decline in middle-class job opportunities.