All legislators have the same job description and officially receive the same pay. In reality, majority members are given ìleadershipî positions gaining extra staff and extra money, even though they represent approximately the same number of people.

ìIím being deprived of my rights, ì Cheevers said, ìbecause my assemblyman is a second-class assemblyman, my vote is a second-class vote.î Cheevers agrees the two legislative leaders, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, are entitled to and additional $43,000 annually, but that the practice needs to stop there. The base salary for legislators is $79.500, but with majority perks, the average salary for members of the majority jumps to $90,000. Legislators already receive per diem payments of $138 a day in Albany and $244 a day when in Manhattan.

Cheevers goes on to say, ìthe disparate amount of cash allowances paid to different members of the New York State Legislature are not based upon, or are justified, by reason of any difference in work load, work difficulty, population, experience or any other fair and reasonable factor."