Senator Shane Martin - 2012 Session has started!

Senator Shane Martin received the "Friend of the Taxpayer" Award at the SC Association of Taxpayers Annual Legislative Luncheon!

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Spending Limits - Senator Shane Martin has fought for spending limits since his election. In 2010 he stood on the Senate floor with a chart detailing the need for spending limits within our State Government. Local Governments, School Districts, etc. have to live under spending caps - why shouldn't the state? He has proudly co-sponsored a bill that he and Senator Tom Davis worked on that will enact spending limits while also creating a taxpayer rebate fund. When Government has extra money, they tend to put it in pots to distribute to everyone. This bill (S. 207) establishes a spending limit, ensures the rainy day reserve fund stays full, and provides any additional funds to be given back to the actual taxpayers in the form of a rebate.

Hopefully there will be more on this front next session!

Important 2011 Bills passed & signed by the Governor

* Roll Call Voting (Transparency)

On 2nd reading (or after amendments on 3rd), all bills and resolutions having the force and effect of law must received a recorded "roll call" vote.

*  Tort Reform

Caps punitive damages, while leaving the 3 times actual for lower thresholds and 4 times actual for higher thresholds.  Keeps the "hot coffee" type frivolous lawsuits from putting a burden on our society.

*  72-hour Budget Rule

This rule (S. 327) will allow additional public input before the enactment of any Appropriations bills by establishing strict time limits before bills and amendments can be passed that deal with your tax dollars.  It makes the budget process longer, but I welcome a longer process so that we have more time to slow down the spending!

*  Illegal Immigration Bill

Used the recent Supreme Court decision to amend language to make it difficult for illegal aliens to remain in South Carolina.  The law is tough and will hold up to potential court challenges.  E-Verify must now be used by businesses before hiring individuals and the driver's license is no longer acceptable to verify citizenship.  What part of illegal don't people understand?

*  Right to Secret Ballot (Union elections)

This Constitutional amendment has been passed - insuring all workers the right to a secret ballot during any Union organization drives. This keeps people from unwillingly being forced into a Union. Boeing is in SC because of our secret ballot laws.  Thank you for voting on this November 2nd and helping make our state pro-business. This is now officially in our Constitution and will make it hard for Unions to force our workers into joining.

* Voter ID

Requires that voters must produce an approved ID in order to cast a vote.  We want everyone to vote, but only one time!

* State Senate Redistricting

S.815 establishes new lines for all 46 State Senate Districts.  Please see News & Events (7/6/2011) for all of the details and a map.

Congressional Redistricting completed - signed by Governor.

As of November 15th, 2011 the US Department of Justice has cleared the US Congressional, State House, and State Senate plans to be used in the 2012 elections.

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