South Carolina Lawmakers Approve $18,000 Pay Raise Amid Controversy
Columbia, SC – In a move that has ignited heated debates, South Carolina legislators have voted to approve an $18,000 annual pay hike for themselves, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, as part of the upcoming state budget. This decision has drawn mixed reactions from voters, with many opposing any increases in legislative salaries, while others argue that higher pay could encourage “ordinary” citizens to participate in politics.
Critics have long maintained that lawmakers’ compensation should be tied to ethical reform. Will Folks, the founding editor of FITSNews, remarked that while he once favored an inflation-adjusted annual salary of $80,000, such an increase should accompany stringent anti-corruption measures. He lamented that current lawmakers seem more interested in financial gain than reforming their political practices, suggesting that without substantial ethics changes, the pay raise should not be sanctioned.
Despite widespread dissent, a significant majority of the Republican supermajority approved the budget, although 25 members from the fiscally conservative S.C. Freedom Caucus opposed it, along with five state senators. As the GOP faces the potential backlash from constituents during primary elections, House Speaker Murrell Smith has proposed a way out, allowing representatives until June 9, 2025, to waive their pay raise.
Should all lawmakers opt out, $4.34 million could be redirected to the state’s general fund. However, this money will not return to taxpayers, emphasizing a lack of dedicated taxpayer rebates. Additionally, the state legislature’s exemption from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) complicates transparency surrounding which lawmakers choose to forgo the pay increase.
FITSNews will continue to monitor this unfolding issue and report on the lawmakers’ actions regarding this contentious situation.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
