While speaking at the North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry’s annual economic forecast forum, Moore called for increasing the state minimum wage to $6.15 an hour, which would benefit more than 100,000 North Carolina workers.

“North Carolinians who work hard and play by the rules should be able to make ends meet,” he said. “More than that, they should have the opportunity to improve their situation and that of their families. We can help them do this. We can raise the minimum wage by at least one dollar.”

Moore noted that adjusted for inflation, the current minimum wage is worth less now than it was in 1997.

“In fact, when you look at a longer time horizon, the minimum wage is at its second-lowest point in the last 50 years,” Moore said.

Moore rejected the notion that raising the minimum wage will hurt business. He said he believes that North Carolina’s lawmakers have a moral obligation to look after the state’s lowest-paid workers.

“I think we all want a North Carolina where the education system produces internationally competitive graduates,” Moore said. “We want an economy where existing businesses thrive and new businesses grow. And we want our citizens able to support their families through hard work.