South Carolina Lawmakers’ Pay Frozen Amid Court Review of Controversial $18K Raise

COLUMBIA, SC — South Carolina legislators won’t be receiving their monthly expense payments while the state Supreme Court reviews whether a controversial $18,000-a-year raise is legal. The freeze, announced Wednesday, halts all in-district compensation during the court’s consideration of a lawsuit filed by one of their own.

Lawsuit Sparks Constitutional Scrutiny Over Raise

At the center of the dispute is a provision in the newly approved budget that would raise monthly in-district payments from $1,000 to $2,500 for all 170 lawmakers. These payments — which require no receipts or expense tracking — are intended to support duties performed in lawmakers’ home districts.

But Republican Sen. Wes Climer filed a lawsuit arguing the move violates the state constitution, which prohibits increasing legislator pay during their term. Climer contends the raise amounts to a disguised salary boost, and he filed the challenge shortly after the provision was quietly added late in the budget process.

Supporters, including Sen. Shane Martin, who introduced the proviso, argue the increase is justified after decades without adjustment, especially given rising costs of constituent engagement and district events.

Justices Put Raise on Hold Until Legal Battle Ends

Following Climer’s lawsuit, the South Carolina Supreme Court voted to suspend the budget item entirely while the case proceeds. Lawmakers will not receive either the existing $1,000 monthly payment or the proposed $2,500 during the review period.

As detailed in ABC News, the court has given a legal deadline in early September for final filings, meaning legislators could go unpaid for at least two months. If the court ultimately upholds the raise, lawmakers may receive retroactive pay.

Critics note the raise would take effect immediately — giving senators more than three years of increased compensation before their next election, and House members 18 months.

Taxpayer Impact, Transparency Under Debate

Lawyers representing the House and Senate insist the raise does not constitute a “per diem” salary increase, but rather an operational reimbursement. They argue it is budget-neutral, coming from funds already appropriated to the General Assembly.

Still, transparency advocates and some taxpayers have raised concerns about the lack of oversight. Unlike most government reimbursements, in-district compensation in South Carolina requires no documentation of how funds are spent.

“There’s no mileage log, no receipts, no guidelines. It’s an honor system,” one watchdog told local media.

Divisions Within the GOP

More than 40 Republican lawmakers have rejected the raise outright, signaling a growing rift in how the issue is viewed even within party lines.

South Carolina legislators receive a fixed $10,400 salary, which hasn’t changed since 1990. They’re also reimbursed for travel, lodging, and meals while in session. But when not in session — typically from May through January — the only income they receive is the monthly district stipend.

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