Lockhill, South Carolina – South Carolina lawmakers haven’t been paid for months as a state senator sues for the first pay rise The conference Thirty years of compensation.
The issue involves what lawmakers call “department compensation”, which is money allocated for legislative obligations, but with little restrictions. The budget line passed by two conference halls increases that compensation from $1,000 a month to $2,500 and $124 a month for all 46 senators house Membership begins on July 1.
Republican Senator Wes Climbing The state was sued in June, saying the South Carolina constitution prohibited lawmakers from immediately increasing their salaries. Instead, any raise must wait until the next election.
The South Carolina Supreme Court litigated in late June when it issued a ruling after the additional salary stopped paying not only but paid $1,000 a month on the same budget line.
The move surprised lawmakers. Some lawmakers say they have to use their own private wages to conduct town halls, helping voters with equipment or the ordinary expenses for serving the public.
Members will not pay for their money anymore General Assembly Responsibilities begin until the case is decided or January 2026. Part-time lawmakers meet about four months three days a week and then pay $10,400 in a lump sum to make up their $260 compensation per day.
For the grant from the Democratic Rep. Hamilton, this means there is no town hall in his Colombia area and does not constitute a resolution unless he is immersed in his own wallet
“Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, as lawmakers, we shouldn’t be taking care of our voters from pocket money,” Grant said.
the climb He said he understands the difficulties that lawmakers face with having to use their money, but the law is law. He said that over 250 years, lawmakers immediately raised their salaries, and most, if not illegal, were frown.
While this may be unpopular to lawmakers, prosecuting them is the only way to do the right thing. the climbhis lawyer is Dick Harpootlian, a former Democratic senator known for fighting what he sees as a fall-out deal.
“This is the result of the drafting conditions and bad intentions of the few lawmakers who have a better understanding of the law.” the climb explain.
Republican Sen. Shane Martin first proposed a raise for regional compensation at the end of the budget process. He spent about 30 seconds on the Senate floor saying it would take the first pay raise in 30 years because the world of inflation and more expenses meant that the amount was no longer enough.
The budget line is easy to pass, and no senator challenged it for the rest of the debate time. The next day’s news was news and the opposition began to grow.
A few weeks later, house Senate budget negotiators agreed on the amount. Legislators like the climb Continue to challenge the proposal, but to derail, this will require rejecting the entire spending plan.
South Carolina already has some of the country’s lowest compensation lawmakers. According to the state legislature, comparing salary is difficult because it includes wages, expenses, and mileage, but according to the state assembly, combined with part-time legislatures such as Alabama and Tennessee, the salary and living expenses are much lower than other states.
That’s much more than the $100 a year mileage that New Hampshire lawmakers get, but much lower than California and New York, where it’s a lawmaker considered a full-time job with a salary of more than $100,000 a year.
About 40 South Carolina lawmakers refused to accept a pay raise before the state Supreme Court stepped in. They are all Republicans.
Both sides have just completed the legal summary and the Supreme Court will hear the case on October 22.
The lawyer who said the salary increase was illegal wrote: “Only the actions of this court can prove our constitution The conference Open contempt. ”
The Senate lawyer replied: “The petitioner tried to draw General Assembly They undermine the judgment of formally elected colleagues of South Carolina voters and petitioner climbers due to the need to be constantly monitored to keep their hands in the moral challenge of keeping their hands outside the well-known cookie jar. ”
Grant, who is completing his first year housesaid that if he did the right thing, his job as a councillor felt like a full-time position. As the leader of a nonprofit, he said it also extended the financial situation, and he believes that low wages and working days will allow anyone to do normal work, such as teachers or factory workers, out of luck. on the contrary, General Assembly Finally, he brought a group of lawyers and retirees.
“I strongly believe that if compensation is proposed, South Carolina will get better candidates running for office because they are now able to bring their daily South Carolina experience and the problems they see and face,” Grant said.
the climb The priorities of lawmakers in combat litigation are out of place.
“Public service is the sacrifice you make to improve your friends and neighbors.” the climb explain. “It’s a sacrifice in all kinds of ways. Those who seek these jobs to make money should not participate.”
