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Nikki Haley on Technology
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Invest in infrastructure, but no gas tax or any other tax
Infrastructure must remain a priority. We know there's more work to be done. You might ask the question, "How do we pay for it?" And my answer will be, "Not by hiking taxes."We proved last year that we can invest in our roads and bridges with the
dollars we already have. Raising the gas tax--forcing our people and our businesses to pay more for the simple act of getting around--is not an option for me.
I will veto any bill that reaches my desk that raises taxes on gasoline.
So instead, this
year, as last, our budget writers should take the additional revenue that inevitably appears after our budget is balanced--what I call "the money tree,"--and invest it in our infrastructure. Since 2005, the "money tree" that falls every year has averaged
more than $106 million. According to the Department of Transportation, those dollars, invested the right way, will be worth more than $1.3 billion in additional road and bridge improvements. That is prioritizing. That is our job.
Source: 2014 South Carolina State of the State Address
, Jan 22, 2014
Address our crumbling infrastructure
We have to address our crumbling infrastructure. Our roads, our bridges--they simply aren't up to standard. More than 1,000 of South Carolina's bridges are either load-restricted or structurally deficient.
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.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to S. C. Legislature
, Jan 16, 2013
More cybersecurity against international criminal hacking
Plenty has been said and written about the international criminal hacking that took place at DOR--I'm not here to rehash that or to look backwards, except to say this: when it comes to data security, the state of South Carolina should have done better in
the past and will do better in the future. 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.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to S. C. Legislature
, Jan 16, 2013
Deepen the port of Charleston; return to greatness
Our ports are vital. No one will work harder to get the funding necessary to deepen the Port of Charleston--starting with the creation of a port infrastructure fund in this year's executive budget. Part of South Carolina's advantage in recruiting
industry is the Port of Charleston. It is a huge part of why companies like Bridgestone & Michelin come to and expand in our state. From the first day of our Administration, I have worked with our federal delegation to clear away all of the impediments
to making Charleston the premier port in the southeast--starting with getting the port to the depth of 50 feet. There has been much discussion about DHEC's decision and whether two viable ports in the region are good or bad for the economics of
S.C. businesses and our state. I am not afraid of a 48-foot Georgia port, 36 miles up the Savannah River, confined to one-way traffic. You should not be either. Let's quit bickering and work together to see Charleston return to its greatness.
Source: 2012 S.C. State of the State Address
, Jan 18, 2012
Page last updated: Mar 13, 2021