Scored 10/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Wages & Punish Bill
South Carolina wants to raise wages and punish wage theft
Minimum wage
Good for everyday people ·
This bill would raise the state minimum wage to $10.10 by 2028, adjust it for inflation every year, and let workers sue bosses who steal their pay.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
Right now, South Carolina uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. This bill changes that. It gives low-wage workers a raise over the next three years and makes sure their pay keeps up with the cost of living. Even better, it gives workers real power to fight back if a boss shorts their paycheck. Workers would get five years to file a claim, the right to team up in a group lawsuit, and protection from being fired just for speaking up. It is a huge step forward for everyday people trying to make a living.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Raises the minimum wage to $8.75 in 2026, $9.75 in 2027, and $10.10 in 2028.
- Ties future wage increases to inflation so pay keeps up with rising prices.
- Makes it illegal for bosses to punish workers who complain about their pay.
- Lets workers team up in group lawsuits to get their stolen wages back.
- Gives workers five full years to take a cheating boss to court.
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the South Carolina Bill Book 2026
The best and worst South Carolina bills of 2026, one page each — our take on the left, the bill on the right, and room for your notes. No email needed.
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