Dear Friends,

I am glad to connect with you in my third update of 2021. Elected officials in Columbia have been busy since the last update. Believe it or not, we have generated a few good results.

The Heartbeat Bill became law, but a liberal judge immediately suspended it. I hope that soon our new US Supreme Court will close the abortion clinics, and our law will be part of the effort. Many who support the ability to end the life of unborn children cynically claim that our new law wastes taxpayer funds by pursuing a court challenge already taken up by several other states. I respond with two points. First, when the roll is called at the US Supreme Court, and later, I want to be there. Second, it may happen that the US Supreme Court simply overturns Roe v. Wade and leaves the specifics of protecting life to the states. In that case, South Carolina will not have to do anything to immediately begin saving the lives of our unborn children. The day is coming and I am excited to celebrate it with you.

Last week the SC Senate also passed legislation to carry out the legal death sentences of convicted criminals. The drugs necessary to carry out lethal injections expired in 2013, and the Department of Corrections has been unable to obtain these drugs over the last few years. Due to increasing pressure, pharmaceutical companies refuse to sell the drugs to states for the use of carrying out legal executions.

Senate bill 200 allows a person who has been convicted and sentenced to death, to choose lethal injection IF it is available. If not, the bill requires the sentence to be carried out by electrocution. It was amended to include the option of a firing squad IF it is available. If the convicted person waives the right of election, the penalty must be administered by electrocution. This bill is not about whether South Carolina should have the death penalty. It is about having a functional death penalty law that will help protect the public from society’s worst criminals, and hopefully it will bring about some measure of closure to the families whose loved ones were cruelly taken from them. I hope the House will act soon to uphold the integrity of our laws and justice system.

The Senate recently acted on teacher pay by restoring the annual STEP increase that was suspended in the last fiscal year. It assures ROTC Instructors, Guidance Counselors, Nurses, etc. are also included. It states that eligible employees who receive this step increase must be fulfilling the duties of their contract as of March 1, 2021. I view this emergency action as one to help our teachers who suffered disruption through no fault of their own. They very often are major contributors, sometimes-sole contributors to their household income. They deserve what was promised to them. My mother taught for 44 years, and I know the job deserves reasonable compensation. This resolution restores that.

Even as I write this, we are seeing very interesting developments on the COVID front. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster removed restrictions on the hours of operation for bars and restaurants and the size of gatherings. I have expressed my belief that both restrictions were unconstitutional. Because of this, the Assembly is currently considering legislation to prevent another governor from assuming dictatorial powers. The damage is done and irreparable for many. Several politicians hope the carnage will be forgotten, but I will not sweep it under the rug. The way that government ran roughshod over our liberties in 2020 will be a discussion for some time to come.

In the last update, I mentioned officially writing a letter to the Judiciary Committee Chairman to schedule a hearing on the Constitutional Carry Bill.  To date, there has been no response.  I, along with other members have asked him to take up Pro-Second Amendment Legislation ASAP.  The way the federal government is headed, we need to act fast!

Regarding the federal government, please take time to say a special prayer for our three (3) Congressmen who represent portions of the Senate District that I represent (Ralph Norman, William Timmons, and Jeff Duncan).  At breakfast with Ralph Norman this week, he said the Democrats, under Pelosi, do not allow for debate or amendments.  Our elected Representatives in Washington have absolutely NO voice.  Which means that WE have no voice in Washington.  In Columbia, we always make sure the minority voice is heard, whether we agree with it or not!

I am dedicated to constituent service and will make sure your voice is heard, so please call on me or my office anytime.  Also, check out and like my new Facebook page @SenShaneMartin.  Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!