COLUMBIA, S.C. — A pay raise for South Carolina lawmakers has backfired, leaving legislators without their monthly checks while the state Supreme Court decides whether the increase is constitutional.

This year’s state budget included a proviso that doubled lawmakers’ “in-district compensation” from $1,000 a month to $2,500. It was added to the budget as an amendment late in the process and approved when the entire budget took effect.

The money is intended to cover the costs of serving constituents. However, lawmakers aren't required to report or track how they use these monthly payments, and they are sent directly to them, so they can theoretically be used for any purpose.

Sen. Wes Climer, R-York, opposed the raise on the Senate floor, calling it unconstitutional. He filed a lawsuit

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