47% raise?

Yesterday the director of the Legislative Research Commission was given a 47% raise. Mr. Sherman is a great person who does an excellent job in a demanding position. Apparently this was done in order to keep Mr. Sherman from retiring.

I appreciate Mr. Sherman and the work he does. However, it is difficult to justify a 47% raise for anyone at anytime. It is even more difficult when every state employee is getting a 1% raise. According to media reports (which is where I learned this, just like everyone else), this was done because Mr. Sherman is "indispensable". I don't believe there is anyone who is indispensable. I disagree with this decision and I hope it is revisited.