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The commercial sex industry continues to drive human trafficking in South Carolina. For years, laws and law enforcement have focused their attention on the supply side of the problem – the pimps and even the victims. But recently, South Carolina leaders have taken a new approach to this problem by turning their attention to the demand. The reasoning is simple – by exponentially increasing the penalties for soliciting sex, the John’s, as they are called, will be less likely to make purchases, thus decreasing demand. Senator Katrina Shealy understands this line of thinking and has introduced S.194 to increase the penalties in South Carolina. Here’s what she has to say about the problem of human trafficking in South Carolina and how her bill will help alleviate the problem.

An important aspect of college is being exposed to new ideas and learning to defend sincerely-held beliefs. At the very least, college students should be allowed to form groups with those who hold similar values and gather together to share those beliefs with their fellow students. However, more and more these days, free speech is being restricted in an effort not to offend anyone. Because of this effort, our founding principles and faith are being pushed further into the corner. To reverse this trend, Representative Garry Smith has introduced H.3099 in order to protect free speech on South Carolina’s public universities by encouraging helpful, robust debates.

For 95 years, South Carolina law has required public college students to complete a “one year” course and exam on the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers. Disconcertingly, most colleges in the Palmetto State have chosen to violate this law, including one college president calling the law “archaic.” Joshua Putnam discusses with Senator Larry Groom how a bill he's introduced ensures that America's founding documents are taught to every student at every South Carolina public university.

Palmetto Family believes life is a precious gift from our Creator and that it should be valued and protected under the law from conception to natural death. That’s why we support any effort which seeks to reduce abortion in South Carolina. On this episode of Faith and Family Statehouse Update, Representative Josiah Magnuson shares how the Personhood Act of South Carolina (H.3920) could lead to overturning Roe v. Wade and allow South Carolina to completely outlaw abortions. But before you listen to this episode, will you take two minutes to defend life in South Carolina? Palmetto Family has launched a pro-life petition which gives you an effective opportunity to tell our state leaders and your fellow South Carolinians that you believe our state should defend the right to life. Go to PalmettoFamily.org to sign the petition now!

Palmetto Family believes life is a precious gift from our Creator and that it should be valued and protected under the law from conception to natural death. That’s why we support any effort which seeks to reduce abortion in South Carolina. On this episode of Faith and Family Statehouse Update, Joshua Putnam talks with Representative Lin Bennett about a bill that she's introduced that would ban dismemberment abortions, the most gruesome form of abortion. Learn how the dismemberment abortions ban bill (H.3779) will further the pro-life cause in South Carolina. But before you listen to this episode, will you take two minutes to defend life in South Carolina? Palmetto Family has launched a pro-life petition which gives you an effective opportunity to tell our state leaders and your fellow South Carolinians that you believe our state should defend the right to life.

Palmetto Family believes life is a precious gift from our Creator and that it should be valued and protected under the law from conception to natural death. That’s why we support any effort which seeks to reduce abortion in South Carolina. On this episode of Faith and Family Statehouse Update, Joshua Putnam sits down with Representative John McCravy to discuss a vitally important bill that he has introduced: South Carolina's Heartbeat Bill. Learn how the Heartbeat Bill is an important step on our journey to end all abortions in South Carolina. But before you listen to this episode, will you take two minutes to defend life in South Carolina? Palmetto Family has launched a pro-life petition which gives you an effective opportunity to tell our state leaders and your fellow South Carolinians that you believe our state should defend the right to life. Go to PalmettoFamily.org to sign the petition now!

For years, South Carolina’s public education system has consistently failed to provide the high-quality education our children deserve. Schools have underachieved and, consequently, so too have students. The situation isn’t entirely hopeless, however. Former South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint has several ideas for how we can solve South Carolina’s education problem. Have a listen to our discussion to get his thoughts on this important topic.

Hazing has become a major problem in South Carolina’s higher education institutions. Representative Gary Clary from Pickens has introduced several bills – H.3056 and H.3398 – in an effort to root out this problem. One of those bills would require public universities to report hazing incidents and make those reports publicly available to students, parents and the general public.

Many factors affect the success of families, but few are as important as financial security. Representative Marvin Pendarvis of Charleston County has introduced a bill – H.3158 – that would require South Carolina high school students to pass one semester of personal finance instruction. Have a listen to the discussion to find out how this bill could empower the high school students of today to lead successful families in the future.

In the inaugural episode, Joshua Putnam sits down with Representative Russell Fry to discuss how H.3181 can help end human and sex trafficking in South Carolina.

Faith and Family Statehouse Update is a Palmetto Family podcast dedicated to informing you about the issues at the South Carolina Statehouse affecting your faith and your family. Published weekly and hosted by Joshua Putnam, President of Palmetto Family and former state legislator.