COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina General Assembly returned to the State House to finalize a $14.5 billion spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The one-day return follows roughly three weeks of State House budget conference negotiations.
Late last month, senators introduced a last-minute budget proviso to increase every lawmaker’s in-district expenses from $1,000 per month to $2,500 per month — $18,000 annually at a cost of roughly $3 million.
If passed, it would mark the first time members of the South Carolina General Assembly have received a pay raise in roughly 30 years.
“So, I’m begging you to think this thing through.” said Rep. Joe White (R-Newberry) from the House chamber floor Wednesday. “Do you want to run next year saying, ‘yeah I voted myself an $18,000 year raise’? I don’t think serving people should vote themselves a raise.”
In addition, lawmakers slashed all earmarks from the proposal to help dedicate more funds to cut the state’s income tax rate to 6%, down from 6.2%.
Earmarks, also known as community improvement projects, are one-time payments given to non-profits or local governments. They can include projects like roadwork or law enforcement upgrades.
Other key allotments include:
- $290,532,000 to lower the state income tax rate from 6.2% to 6%
- $105,979,277 to cover state employees’ health plan premiums
- $80 million to increase teachers’ starting salary to $48,500 — a 75% increase since 2015
- $200 million to SCDOT to renovate bridges statewide
- $35 million in disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene
- $10,970,755 to upgrade the state’s voting system
If approved by Gov. Henry McMaster, the budget will go into effect on July 1.