South Carolina lawmakers have earned only $10,400 annually for the past 25 years—and now want a $18,000 bump in their stipends 

The Senate in South Carolina voted what is actually to increase the $ 18,000 wage a year in the state spending plan for the next budget year.

Republican Senator Shen Martin presented the plan on Wednesday, which would increase the so-called “internal compensation”-the funds allocated to legislative duties, but have few limits on how to spend-from $ 1,000 per month to $ 2,500 per month for all Senate members 46 and 124 members of the Senate.

Martin explained the plan for approximately 30 seconds before approval from 24 to 15. It is part of the $ 14.4 billion budget plan that the Senate approved later on Wednesday.

The monthly salary of legislators has not been increased for about 30 years. If you succeed in the rest of the budget process, legislators will go from $ 12,000 a year to $ 30,000 a year for these expenses. All, the proposal will cost $ 3 million annually.

In his brief explanation in the Senate Hall, Martin said the increase is necessary to adapt to inflation and keep up with a world where there are more expenses.

Legionships also receive a salary of $ 10,400 a year that has not changed since 1990. In addition, they get meal money, a driving meal to Colombia and hotel rooms during the session. Located legislators are part -time because the South Carolina General Assembly meets three days from January to May.

The Command of the Republican parliament said that they were not aware of the Senate plan and needed to discuss it with their colleagues before speaking publicly. A small conference committee for the members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives will have to agree within almost a month to preserve it in the spending plan.

The lawmakers issued an increase of $ 1,000 a month in the budget in 2014, but Republican governor Nikki Haley achieved its approval and the members of the Senate had votes to overcome its decision.

Senate Leader Shin Massi voted against the proposal on Wednesday. He said that legislators should have been more transparent.

“You should let her go through the sub -committee’s operation – let people enter and respond to you – let her pass through all the work of the committee, let her come on the ground and take a discussion,” said Massi, one of the 15 Republicans to vote against her.

Massi said that he understands the argument that low compensation tends to reduce those who can work on people who run their own business, who are the wealthy or retirees independently. He said that $ 1,000 per month does not go to some extent.

“You can only use it in the gas,” Massi said. “My region is five provinces.”

Democratic MP John King has been pressing for a kind of additional compensation for legislators for years. Representatives, like him, had no office in boycotting their homeland. He had to put one with a computer, furniture and all other supplies. He pushes a person to deal with constituent issues during his legislation, which is also eating in his compensation.

King, a funeral manager for his family’s funeral, cannot be legitimate because there are people to help with family business when he is far away. But he knows that there are a lot of people in his area who were unable to choose to run due to the money crisis.

“Let’s find a fair way, as any citizen in South Carolina can choose to run for running positions,” King said.

This story was originally shown on Fortune.com

2025-04-24 21:13:00