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Haley says SC is "surging" in State of the State Address
Posted: 01.18.2012 at 10:42 PM
Updated: 01.19.2012 at 5:20 AM
Brian McConchie

Brian is the Sports Director for the WACH Fox.

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Gov. Nikki Haley delivers her second State of the State Address Wednesday night.  / courtesy:SCETV
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COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) - Governor Nikki Haley promised to fight for more jobs and rolled out her agenda for her second year in office Wednesday in her annual State of the State Address.

Haley, in a roughly 40-minute speech she wrote herself, focused on job creation, a new job training program in the state, and creating a business-friendly South Carolina in her second State of the State.

"The good news is we've made great progress this past year. The bad news is we still have a ways to go," said Haley. "But, I will not rest until we've created a climate in which every citizen of this state who wants a job, has a job. "

Haley touted the announcement of roughly 20,000 jobs and $5 billion in investments in the state since she took office, a good chunk of those jobs and dollars tied to major employment announcements by tire giants Bridgestone and Continental last fall. Representatives from those firms part of thirteen representatives from companies new to the state that were in attendance and recognized during Haley's address.

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State Democrats wasted little time taking aim at the governor following her speech, attacking her on employment issues, pointing to her opposition to the Amazon.com deal last year. Haley did not offer public support for a tax exemption promised to the sales giant during the Sanford administration.

After heated debate at the State House and a pair of votes by lawmakers, the online retailer eventually built a 24-hour distribution facility in Lexington County that is now up and running.

"Rather than taking the lead on this deal that will create 1,249 full-time jobs and 2,500 part-time jobs, the governor opposed bringing Amazon and the jobs it would create to South Carolina," said Rep. Bakari Sellers of Bamberg in the Democratic response following the address. "This is yet another example of a failure to lead."

Democrats also criticized Haley for rejecting millions in federal dollars for public education during her first year in office.

"Last year we worked with our federal partners to bring $144 million in direct funding to our public schools," said Sellers. "Rather than join us in leveraging this opportunity into achievement, Governor Haley and Superintendent of Education Zais put the desires of the Republican National Committee ahead of the needs of South Carolinas children." D

During Wednesday's address, Governor Haley also vowed to push lawmakers to pass reforms to the pension system for state workers, a program that currently has $17 billion in unfunded liability.

In addition, Haley urged the General Assembly to pass the executive budget she rolled out last week which included more money for law enforcement, healthcare for the poor children, and plans to cut taxes.

"Together I believe we can agree to a set of tax cuts that make South Carolina more competetive and send more dollars back where they belong, in the pockets of the people and the businesses of our state," said Haley.

Do you think the state of South Carolina is "surging" as Gov. Haley said in her address? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think.

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