Rep. Carl Rollins, D-Midway, said Bobby Sherman, director of the Legislative Research Commission, should either resign or refuse to accept a pay raise " boosting his salary from $132,000 to $195,000, a $62,160 increase.

"I'm incensed," Rollins said. "It sends a terrible message to state employees. They got a 1 percent raise." Sherman's was 47 percent.

A panel of legislative leaders authorized the pay increase Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 11 to 5.

"Anybody who voted for this should be run out of office," Rollins said. "I don't care what party they're in."

The pay increase makes Sherman one of the highest paid employees in state government " earning more than Gov. Steve Beshear's $120,000.
City and county government employees received pay increases between 3 and 4 percent this year.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, said Sherman deserved the increase and would have retired with out it. Sherman declined to comment according to the Associated Press.

Other legislative leaders expressed similar outrage, including Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, and Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort.

Carroll said Sherman has been a good director but that there are also qualified individuals who could replace him if he retired. Sherman said he would retire without a "significant" pay raise, according to Carroll.

"I don't think paying him that kind of salary is justified," Carroll said. "He's replaceable."

Carroll said he can't support such a pay increase when the state is under the constraints of a tight budget.

Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, said the decision to give Sherman a 47 percent increase was "arrogant" and "an abuse of power."

"It's an embarrassment to the institution," Graham said. "It gives the institution a black eye because we make the policy and say it doesn't apply to us."

Graham said thousands of qualified and experienced state employees retired this year because it was in their best financial interests.

"We all walked away from the budget and knew we didn't have the money," Graham said. "There should have been no exceptions. I'm insulted by it."

Several university presidents declined to accept part or all of their salary bonuses this year and Sherman should do likewise, Graham said.

Graham also said the news of Sherman's raise was particularly painful for state employees who learned on Wednesday their health insurance premiums will be increasing by $2.50 per month.

The vote in support of the pay raise was largely along party lines, with Republicans in favor of it and most Democrats opposed. Supporters include:
>Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville
>Senate Majority Whip Carroll Gibson, R-Leitchfield
>Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly, R-Springfield
>Senate Majority Caucus Chair Dan Seum, R-Fairdale
>Senate President Pro Tempore Katie Stine, R-Southgate
>Senate Minority Caucus Chair Johnny Turner, D-Drift
>Senate Minority Floor Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond
>House Minority Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown
>House Minority Whip Stan Lee, R-Lexington
>House Minority Caucus Chair Bob DeWeese, R-Louisville
>House Majority Whip Rob Wilkey, D-Scottsville
Those members of the committee who voted against the pay raise include:
>House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green
>Senate Minority Whip Joey Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville
>House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook
>House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, D-Louisville
>House Majority Caucus Chair Charlie Hoffman, D-Georgetown
The Associated Press contributed to this report.