Two men in suits speak at a press conference.
Share this @internewscast.com

A FUMING senator is suing over a “secret” $18,000 pay hike which will cost taxpayers a whopping $4.3 million.

Republican Wes Climer has accused greedy lawmakers in South Carolina of illegally cashing in on an extra $50 each per day.

Two men in suits speak at a press conference.
South Carolina attorney and ex-senator Dick Harpootlian, left, and Sen. Wes Climer, R-Rock Hill, tell reporters about their lawsuit against a legislative pay raise in Columbia, S.C.Credit: AP

Climer, a father of five and a committed Christian, announced on Monday that he, along with state retiree Carol Herring—his co-petitioner—are taking legal action against lawmakers for “granting themselves a salary increase.”

They are asking the Supreme Court, South Carolina’s highest judicial authority, to effectively prevent a lawmakers’ self-approved $2,500 monthly raise.

He and Herring maintain that the raise was illegal as – per the constitution – sitting politicians are barred from increasing their own compensation.

They warned it was like a judge deciding the outcome of their own trial, or a cop investigating their own misconduct.

“Every member of the Legislature got an $18,000 [annual] expenses bump,” Climer ranted on his website.

That brings up their total pay to “$40,400 per year, which is forbidden before the next general election,” alleged the lawsuit, lodged last Friday.

According to CBS-affiliate WCSC, as state officials deliberated on the forthcoming budget, the General Assembly inserted a distinct provision, known as a proviso.

This proviso, which is a one-year order on how to spend money, resulted in raising the amount of in-district compensation lawmakers receive, starting from July 1.

The monthly stipend is meant to compensate legislative work.

However, it’s become controversial as the lawmakers have approved more than doubling it from the original $1,000 a month to $2,500.

Trump doesn’t rule out arresting California Gov over LA riot chaos

Lawmakers’ pay will rocket from $12,000 to $30,000 a year for legislative expenses.

This is in addition to their current annual salary of $10,400, bumping the total to $40,400. Plus they receive extra money for meals, milage to drive to Columbia and hotel rooms while in session.

What does the lawsuit say about the $18k pay raise?

The South Carolina Senate has voted for an $18,000-a-year pay hike

Republican Sen. Wes Climer and Republican activist Carol Herring are fighting political colleagues by trying to block the $18,000 pay raise.

The duo alleged in their lawsuit that the hike was illegal, as “the South Carolina Constitution prohibits a General Assembly from increasing the compensation of its own members.

“Any increase must take effect after the next General Assembly is seated in January 2027 following the next general election.

“It is unconstitutional.

“There is an extraordinary public interest in preserving our constitutional prohibition on a legislature giving itself taxpayer money.

“For a General Assembly to vote to give its own members public money is akin to a judge presiding over his own trial, or to a police officer investigating his own alleged conduct.

“[Its] machinations to avoid public scrutiny of its self-dealing with taxpayer money are extraordinary.”

UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The lawsuit petitions for an injunction to block Curtis Loftis, State Treasurer of South Carolina, from paying the extra money.

The document added that the General Assembly had bumped up payments with “an increase of approximately $50 per day, starting in July 2025.”

Climer has vowed to fight to “stop the pay raise colleagues put into the 2026 state budget.”

SECRET

The raise was proposed by Republican Sen. Shane Martin late in the budget process.

Martin explained the plan for just 30 seconds before it was approved 24-15.

But Climer said he and other opponents of the “80% pay raise” believe it should have passed as a stand-alone bill with hearings and a full debate.

For a General Assembly to vote to give its own members public money is akin to a judge presiding over his own trial, or to a police officer investigating his own alleged conduct

Lawsuit

FITSNews – which described the contentious deal as a “secret pay raise” – said he was one of just a handful of lawmakers to vote against it.

The go-ahead means the in-district compensation is set to balloon to $2,500 a month for each of the 46 senators and 124 House members starting July 1.

FITS warned of the South Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature, “All told, the raises would cost taxpayers $4.3 million between now and the end of the 2025-2026 legislative session.”

VIOLATION

“Regardless of how you feel about a legislative pay raise, this is the wrong way to do it,” Climer told journalists on Monday in Columbia.

He added, “It violates the Madisonian principle that the legislature cannot take the people’s money and appropriate it to themselves in real time.”

But Sen. Deon Tedder, D – Charleston, told WCSC, “Only certain people can afford to run for office and serve.

“With how little the pay is, it really prohibits the average South Carolinian from being able to serve in our General Assembly.”

Gov. Henry McMaster said he believed “the case can be made that the expenses have gone up dramatically… the remedy would be to provide some more money to be used for those district expenses, not a favor.”

Climer and Herring are being represented by former S.C. senator Dick Harpootlian.

The state Supreme Court has ordered both sides to submit briefs before the end of the month.

BLOCKED

The lawsuit said a similar move to increase the pay was successfully blocked 11 years ago.

Lawmakers passed a $1,000-a-month increase in the budget in 2014.

But Republican Gov. Nikki Haley vetoed it and senators did not have the votes to override her decision.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Here's how Trump's 'Beautiful Bill' could impact Florida's AI laws

The Impact of Trump’s ‘Beautiful Bill’ on Florida’s AI Legislation

A provision of the bill could block states, including Florida, from enforcing…
Collage of photos showing a house for sale in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Real Estate Listing Uncovers Eerie Clues Connected to Historic Massacre of 51 People

A PROPERTY listing has inadvertently revealed haunting lost terror clues linked to…
Marvel's 'Ironheart' series explores STEM, self-discovery with Dominique Thorne leading the charge on Disney+

Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’ series delves into STEM and personal growth as Dominique Thorne stars on Disney+

In 2016, an MIT prodigy, Riri Williams, made a remarkable entrance into…
Trump reveals his ‘first choice’ for open North Carolina Senate seat 

Trump Announces His ‘Top Pick’ for Vacant North Carolina Senate Seat

On Tuesday, President Trump expressed his preference for his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump,…
Portrait of Colonel Ruslan Goryachkin.

Leading Putin Commander Among ‘Many Killed’ as UK’s Storm Shadow Attack Destroys Russian HQ in Ukraine After Months

ONE of Vladimir Putin’s top commanders are among the multiple dead following…
Duval parents rally against DEI policy changes

Duval Parents Protest Alterations to DEI Policy

Parents and students rallied against changes to DEI policies and book bans…
WTH?! Kristi Noem Reveals Horrifying Details About Detained Cannibal Illegal Alien

Shocking Details Unveiled: Kristi Noem Discusses Case of Detained Cannibalistic Illegal Immigrant

Let’s put this situation in the “What the heck?!” category. Details of…
Jessica Alba and daughter Honor, 17, match in floral outfits at Wimbledon 2025

Jessica Alba and Her 17-Year-Old Daughter, Honor, Sport Matching Floral Outfits at Wimbledon 2025

Page Six may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you…
Wisconsin's budget includes tax cuts, university funding boost and prison closure

Wisconsin’s Budget Features Tax Reductions, Increased University Funding, and a Prison Closure

Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor, Tony Evers, alongside the Republican-led state Legislature, reached an…
Dolton Village Board to vote on purchase of Pope Leo's childhood home at 212 East 141st Place

Dolton Village Board to decide on acquiring Pope Leo’s childhood residence at 212 East 141st Place

The back-and-forth dispute between the village of Dolton and the homeowner might…
Trump's tax and spending bill nears passage as JD Vance arrives at Senate

Trump’s Tax and Spending Bill Approaches Approval with JD Vance Joining the Senate

Another day, another fight for Republicans trying to pass Trump’s tax bill…
Boulder terror attack: Colorado woman, 82, injured by Molotov cocktail dies, charges upgraded

Boulder Incident: 82-Year-Old Colorado Woman Injured by Molotov Cocktail Dies, Leading to Upgraded Charges

On Monday, Colorado prosecutors intensified the charges against the suspected Boulder terror…