US EditionSouth Carolina's Budget Passes with a Big Raise in Lawmaker Pay
- On May 28, 2025, the South Carolina General Assembly approved a $14.7 billion budget in Columbia that included a pay increase for all 170 lawmakers.
- The raise resulted from a provision quietly added in the Senate after the House approved the initial budget, more than doubling in-district compensation.
- This increase boosts monthly in-district funds from $1,000 to $2,500, intended to cover legislative duties with minimal spending limits starting July 1, 2025.
- Republican Bruce Bannister, who leads the House Ways and Means Committee, emphasized that lawmakers are expected to allocate funds to serve their constituents, noting that failure to do so is their responsibility. Meanwhile, Senator Wes Climer criticized the pay increase, describing it as a significant blemish on an otherwise solid budget proposal.
- Governor Henry McMaster is expected to approve the budget, stating "expenses have gone up dramatically," which means lawmakers will begin receiving the raise next fiscal year.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Denver Gazette
DailyTruthReportSouth Carolina boosts lawmaker pay in 2026 budget
Members of the South Carolina General Assembly are one step closer to a major pay raise after approving their 2026 budget, which includes a provision to more than double their salaries. Lawmakers currently make $1,000 a month and have not…
scdailygazette.com
Index-JournalSC legislators pass $14.7B spending plan despite concerns over legislators’ pay raise
Rep. Brandon Guffey, R-Rock Hill, and Sen. Wes Climer, R-Rock Hill, speak on the South Carolina House floor during a joint session of the General Assembly Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. Guffey and Climer both opposed an increase in legislator pay included in the state budget. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)COLUMBIA — South Carolina legislators sent their final budget plan to Gov. Henry McMaster on Wednesday despite complaints from some legislators …
SC Legislature passes budget despite concerns on lawmaker pay raise, conversion therapy ban repeal
Lawmakers easily passed South Carolina's proposed 2026 budget Wednesday despite reservations from some over a proposal to bump in-district expenses for state legislators. Gov. McMaster said he would keep the pay increases in the budget.
The Daily Advance
South Carolina's budget passes with a big raise in lawmaker pay
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina General Assembly likely met for the last time this year Wednesday, easily passing a budget that included what is effectively an $18,000-a-year raise for all of its members.
South Carolina’s budget passes with a big raise in lawmaker pay
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina General Assembly likely met for the last time this year Wednesday, easily passing a budget that included what is effectively an $18,000-a-year raise for all of its members.
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