WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Nikki Haley delivered her second annual State of the State message last night. Here’s what people across South Carolina are saying about the governor’s speech:

“We all have to admit she’s done a great job of creating jobs in South Carolina,” said Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, after the speech. “Not since (the late Gov.) Carroll Campbell have we had such a great salesman for the state of South Carolina.”(Gina Smith, The State, “Haley: Our state is surging,” 1/19/2012)

“Rep. Dan Hamilton, R-Taylors, called the speech ‘a positive look at what we’ve actually accomplished in a year and a positive look forward’ and praised the emphasis on tax changes…” (Associated Press, “Responses to Gov. Haley’s State of the State,” 1/18/2012)

“Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, says the governor set a great tone overall in her speech…” (Robert Kittle, WSPA 7 On Your Side, “Gov. Haley Delivers State of the State,” 1/18/2012)

“She drew applause when she hailed the state’s success in adding jobs and bringing industrial investment in the past year, and for her plans for 2012.” (Editorial, The Post and Courier, “First, finish restructuring,” 1/19/2012)

“…Haley devoted most of her time behind the podium to speaking about jobs for South Carolina’s residents. She said that by the end of January, state government will unveil a restructured workforce training program to further drive down the unemployment rate, which fell below double-digit figures at the end of 2011.” (Allyson Bird, The Post and Courier, “Haley criticizes port ‘bickering’,” 1/19/2012)

“Her budget proposal also would set spending caps, cut taxes for some South Carolinians and businesses and create a $25 million fund to improve the state’s ports.” (Gina Smith, The State, “Haley: Our state is surging,” 1/19/2012)

“Haley pledged to fight unions and called the National Labor Relations Board’s lawsuit against Boeing ‘one of the most fundamentally un-American decisions ever handed down by the federal government.’” (Allyson Bird, The Post and Courier, “Haley criticizes port ‘bickering’,” 1/19/2012)

“Her speech focused on jobs, as she recognized a dozen companies that made job announcements for South Carolina in 2011, including Continental Tire, TD Bank, Bridgestone and BMW. Companies have announced some $5 billion in investments and promised nearly 20,000 new jobs, she told a joint session of lawmakers and others gathered in the House chambers.” (Seanna Adcox, The Associated Press, “Gov. Haley calls for tax cuts, tort reform, spending caps in State of the State speech,” 1/18/2012)