Another year, another South Carolina state budget. And this time around, the overall sentiment seems to be… well, a bit “vanilla.”
On the surface, it appears many essential needs received their due funding, and a fair amount of what some might call “pork barrel” projects were left out. That’s good news, right? Not entirely.
The Unfunded Local Dreams
Beneath the surface of this seemingly straightforward budget, there’s a quieter story of disappointment. Many small towns across our state, diligently represented by their legislators, poured countless hours into preparing proposals and holding out hope for critical project funding. For some, this wasn’t about shiny new initiatives, but rather about securing funds vital for their very operation.
Now, the representatives from these districts face the unenviable task of explaining why those crucial dollars didn’t materialize. It’s a tough conversation, especially when communities were banking on their local champions to deliver.
The Governor’s Light Touch
Governor Henry McMaster kept his veto pen mostly sheathed this year, only striking down a handful of items. So few, in fact, that it seems unlikely anyone will bother to reconvene and attempt an override. This suggests a general consensus on the budget’s contents, or perhaps a lack of significant disagreement on the vetoed items.
The Elephant in the Room: That “In-District Expense”
But let’s be honest, the biggest chatter isn’t about what got funded or vetoed. It’s about that “pay raise” for legislators.Let’s call a spade a spade, or rather, let’s call an “In-District Expense” what it looks like to many: a pay raise. The tricky part? If they had simply voted to increase their annual salary of $10,400 by an additional $18,000, that raise couldn’t have gone into effect until 2028, after the next senatorial election. But by rebranding it as an “In-District Expense,” suddenly the rules change.
Now, to be fair, if you’re doing the job right, a South Carolina legislator is arguably underpaid. Many will tell you, however, that you know the salary when you run for office. Is it a part-time job? Not if you’re dedicated. A truly effective legislator often spends more on travel to meetings and constituent services than they ever receive in compensation. Like any profession, to do it well, you truly need to love it.
Legal, But Is It Ethical?
The ensuing lawsuits are almost comical in their predictability. Yet, when you delve into the letter of the law, what was done may not be illegal, even if it feels ethically questionable. And let’s be realistic: the South Carolina Supreme Court, where these cases will undoubtedly land, is unlikely to rule against the legislature.
This all brings up a nagging question: Didn’t we pass legislation preventing sitting legislators from suing the state? Perhaps that’s something we need to revisit before more state money is spent on these legal battles.
The “vanilla” budget might seem calm on the surface, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find plenty of lingering questions and a dash of legislative intrigue.
WHILE I BREATHE 