News Summary
Senator Wes Climer has filed a lawsuit against the South Carolina legislature to block an $18,000 annual pay raise for state legislators. He argues that the raise violates the state constitution, which prohibits self-approval of compensation increases. The South Carolina Supreme Court has accepted the case for expedited ruling, with implications for the future of legislative compensation and transparency. Meanwhile, 39 Republican legislators have opted out of the pay raise, highlighting a significant pushback against the proposed changes in compensation practices.
Columbia, South Carolina — In a significant legal maneuver, Senator Wes Climer, a Republican representing Rock Hill, filed a lawsuit against the South Carolina legislature on June 9, 2025, aimed at blocking a proposed $18,000 annual pay raise for state legislators. The raise, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, includes a monthly increase of $2,500, included in the state budget but challenged for its constitutionality.
Climer argues that the compensation increase violates the South Carolina constitution, which explicitly prohibits legislators from approving increases to their own per diem. This legal action comes as South Carolina grapples with controversy over its legislative compensation practices.
The lawsuit was filed in collaboration with attorney Dick Harpootlian, a former Democratic senator, and features Rock Hill resident Carol Herring as a co-plaintiff. The South Carolina Supreme Court has accepted the case to expedite a ruling ahead of the scheduled implementation of the pay raise.
The essence of the lawsuit hinges on the definition of per diem, traditionally understood as daily allowances provided to legislators while conducting official duties. Currently, state legislators receive a daily subsistence of $240 during sessions. Their base annual salary has remained stagnant at $10,400 since 1990.
Climer contends that the newly proposed monthly compensation is effectively a pay raise. He argues that since it could pay for personal income without restrictions on how it is spent, it should not be classified as per diem. The lawsuit challenges whether this increase constitutes per diem or falls into the category of regular income, which would be subjected to constitutional provisions.
On the same day the lawsuit was filed, the state Supreme Court ordered both opposing parties to submit their legal arguments by the end of the month. The court is expected to deliver a ruling that will clarify the legality of the compensation increase and whether those funds would need to be repaid if deemed unconstitutional.
In a noteworthy display of political stance, 39 Republican legislators have publicly opted out of accepting the pay raise. This group consists of legislators from multiple districts across South Carolina, signaling a collective pushback against the proposed compensation increase.
Background context reveals that the state legislature last revised in-district compensation in 1994 when it rose from $300 to $1,000 per month. The latest decision to increase compensation has drawn criticism due to the lack of adherence to the typical legislative process. Normally, such changes would involve public hearings and extensive debate, a procedure the current pay raise circumvented. Critics have expressed concerns over transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
As the clock ticks down toward the implementation date of the pay raise, all eyes are on the South Carolina Supreme Court. The impending ruling will not only address the issue of the pay raise’s legality but also highlight the broader implications for future legislative self-compensation, ensuring that the decisions of the legislature remain in accordance with constitutional mandates.
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Additional Resources
- SC Daily Gazette
- Index Journal
- U.S. News & World Report
- Post and Courier
- Wikipedia: South Carolina Legislature
