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
Port Authority Bus Terminal entrance in New York City.

Port Authority Bus Accident Injures 12; Driver Freed from Wreckage, Terminal Closure Causes Delays

AT least 12 people have been hurt in a massive multi-bus crash…
2025 NASCAR news today: Kids enjoy car-related events at Navy Pier, in Pilsen ahead of Chicago street race as future unclear

Today’s 2025 NASCAR Update: Children Engage in Auto-Themed Activities at Navy Pier and Pilsen Before Chicago Street Race Amid Uncertainty

CHICAGO (WLS) — Kids were catching NASCAR fever as they maneuvered remote…
Plane crash at an airport with emergency personnel and onlookers.

Haunting Audio Captures Russians Shooting Down Plane on Christmas, Killing 38, Aware It Wasn’t a Ukrainian Drone

A CHILLING audio clip has emerged revealing the moment Russians shot down…
Diddy trial verdict: After Sean Combs' conviction, here's where his business ventures stand

After Sean Combs’ Conviction: The Current State of His Business Ventures

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been cleared of the most severe charges in…
StopAntisemitism founder warns Mamdani as NYC mayor would be 'catastrophic' for residents

StopAntisemitism Founder Cautions: Mamdani’s Mayoralship Could Be Disastrous for NYC Residents

Liora Rez, the founder of StopAntisemitism, expressed that electing Zohran Mamdani as…
Oddsmakers don't believe in Aaron Rodgers' steelers

Betting Experts Aren’t Confident in Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
Small plane goes down at New Jersey airport in 'mass casualty' emergency

Small Aircraft Crash at New Jersey Airport Results in ‘Mass Casualty’ Situation

A skydiving airplane crashed Wednesday after it went off the end of…
California man allegedly crafted assassination list targeting federal officials in White supremacist plot

California Man Accused of Creating Hit List Aimed at Federal Officials in White Supremacist Scheme

A California man alleged to be a White supremacist and a member…
Fireworks and pets: How to keep animals calm and safe

Keeping Your Pets Calm and Safe During Fireworks

Veterinarians and animal experts recommend creating a safe space indoors, staying close…
Water tower in Dulce, New Mexico.

Conspiracy Theorists Claim Secret Underground Base is Operated by Aliens and Was Site of Fatal Battle

A SECRET underground facility has been at the heart of one of…
Chicago traffic: 4th of July travelers to hit airports, roads Wednesday

Chicago Travel Alert: July 4th Holiday to Bring Crowds to Airports and Highways on Wednesday

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago airports were crowded Wednesday morning as people get…
Diddy Combs convicted under Mann Act law. Here's what that means

Understanding Diddy Combs’ Conviction Under the Mann Act Law

The law has been invoked in significant convictions, impacting individuals like R&B…