Nikki Haley in 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Energy & Oil: Not now, not ever, support raising the gas tax

Millions of dollars each year in gas tax revenue are being diverted away from our bridges and our highways. Let's invest more of the money we already have into this vital area.

On Foreign Policy: $5 billion in foreign investment: the "It" state worldwide

And we've seen no less an authority than The Wall Street Journal say that, "Anyone still thinking the U.S. has lost its manufacturing chops hasn't been to South Carolina."

South Carolina is truly becoming the "It" state when it comes to economic development and job creation--not just in the United States, but worldwide.

On Jobs: Fought unionization; new jobs in 45 of 46 counties

We've cut taxes on small business. We've passed tort reform that, for the first time ever, puts a cap on lawsuit damages.

We've fought against the unionization of South Carolina, cherishing the direct relationship between our companies--who know how to take care of those that take care of them--and their employees.

We've, through the Department of Social Services, moved more than 14,000 families from welfare to work. We've created an Agribusiness partnership to showcase the largest industry in our state.

On Tax Reform: Reduce tax burden every single year: eliminate 6% bracket

This year, I propose that we eliminate the six percent tax bracket. This reform cuts taxes for the overwhelming majority of people who pay income tax, and not a single South Carolinian will pay more. Other states have seen the successes we've had in South Carolina and are nipping at our heels. Look around the nation and see all the governors, the legislators, the states that are proposing slashing or even eliminating their income taxes. We have to keep up.

On Technology: Address our crumbling infrastructure

First and foremost, it's a public safety issue. The citizens of South Carolina deserve to drive on roads that aren't littered with potholes and on bridges they know won't fall down.

It's a core function of government. But it's also an economic development issue. South Carolina has announced our self as the new superstar of American manufacturing. We build things. We build planes. We build cars. We build tires. We need roads and bridges that match the quality of the companies that manufacture in our great state. And we will get them.

On Technology: More cybersecurity against international criminal hacking

That does not mean that we will be 100% protected. The toughest lesson I have learned is that in today's world there is no such thing as absolute security. That is true for conventional terrorism and homeland security threats, and it is true for cyberterrorism and cybersecurity threats. It's a hard reality, but reality nonetheless.

What it does mean is that we will do everything we can to make sure that no state in the country has better security measures in place than we do. We are encrypting all personal and sensitive data. We are segmenting our networks to make sure that our most sensitive information is protected separately and securely.