Could SC legislators see first pay increase since 1995? The Senate makes a push
South Carolina’s lawmakers could received a stipend increase for the first time since 1995.
The state Senate’s budget proposal included an increase for lawmakers’ in-district expenses monthly stipend from $1,000 a month to $2,500 a month.
It increases lawmakers’ before-taxes pay by $18,000 a year and would cost the state $3 million a year.
The amendment passed in a 24-15 vote.
State Sen. Shane Martin, R-Spartanburg, said the change is necessary to address the effects of inflation.
“We all know that we’ve been dealing with things in the budget to help other people deal with inflation. I think its time we take care and make sure the people who are elected to serve as elected representatives (deal with) inflation and keep up with our expenses,” Martin said Wednesday during the budget debate.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, was against the move.
”I’m glad they had a public vote on it, and everyone got to have their vote. Everyone had their say,” Peeler said.
The budget now returns to the House for its consideration.
The House’s second version of the budget is expected to be finalized next week and House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, said he does not expect a stipend increase to be included in the budget the chamber uses during conference committee negotiations.
Lawmakers voting for a pay raise for themselves is a politically tricky move that could lead to backlash from voters.
The Senate has 13 new members, nine of whom are in their first year in the legislature. The entire Senate also won’t be up for election until 2028.
The stipend change may to be worked out in a budget conference committee, which would spare a direct vote on the pay raise for most of the House members, who are up for election in 2026. House members would only vote on the total budget package after the conference committee approved a compromise.
“If the Republican caucus wants to go forward. That would be a way that it could game out,” Bannister said. “That would be the simplest way to get to that point ... If the Senate insists on it in the conference report that it’s in the budget, then it’s part of the budget.”
State Rep. John King, D-York, has been a vocal proponent of increasing compensation for lawmakers. He has previously pushed for stipend increases but the efforts have not been successful.
The in-district stipend can be used to host town halls, purchase letterhead, computer for legislative duties, or pay for fuel to travel the district, King said.
“It’s never enough,” King said. “So a lot of times, you’re not just going into your own pocket, you’re also going into your campaign funds as well.”
He also has pushed for increasing legislator salary up from $10,400 a year, an amount that may keep many people from running for office.
“You have eliminated a whole segment of the community who can never ever serve,” King said. “If you’re not independently wealthy, have a business that can sustain you, have a family that can help you, or have spouse that can help you, you cannot serve in these chambers being a poor person.”
