021474Switching parties cost assemblyman considerable clout

By RUSS-PULLIAM

ALBANY (AP) - In 1973, Assemblyman J. Edward Meyer 3d of Chappaqua served on four Assembly committees, was chairman of a subcommittee and proposed 30 bills approved by the Assembly.

In 1974, Meyer is on just two committees, has given up his chairmanship and will be lucky if any of his bills pass.

It's not that lie's getting lazv. He switched from the Republican to Democratic party late last year. In the state Legislature, that's almost like, moving from a mansion to an apartment.

BEFORE joining the minority party, Meyer can send  only two newsletters, instead of the four that Republicans can send out.

He's, also lost a typewriter and $5,500 worth of staff help.

Meyer, 38, who represents the White Plains. Harrison, 'Mount Pleasant, North Castle areas of Westchester County, switched parties late last year a f t e r endorsing Democrat Alfred DelBello for Westchester County executive.

HE'S BEEN able to keep the same office he had last year,aRepublican office. slightly~ bigger than the ones given to Democrats. And he hasn't lost any telephones.

But otherwise, he lost the advantages traditionally awarded to members of the majority party.

"I think Ed's capacity to pass bills has been made ineffective; 80 to 90 per cent of the bills on the calendar are Republican bills," commented another Westchester Republican, Assemblyman Bruce Caputo of Yonkers.

"The Democrats will come up with a good bill and the Republicans will capture the idea and put out their own bill." Meyer adds.

MEYER HAD to quit two of the four committees he served on as a Republican. Republicans have more committee seats so they can have clear majorities.

He was removed as chairman of the Assembly Subcommittee on Administrative Procedures, which had provided a vehicle for pushing for open government measures.

Even before his party switch but after he endorsed DelBello. Meyer says he was an outcast in the eyes of another Republican assemblyman, Joseph Margiotta.

Margiotta. Republican chairman of Nassau County, would not allow Meyer's committee to hold hearings in the county. according to Meyer. "He told me we would not be allowed in any public building in Nassau," Meyer said. Margiotta denied it ever happened.

MEYER ALSO has not been invited to meetings of the Westchester County Assembly delegation -he's the only Democrat.

Nor hashe been asked to sponsor or review local legislation requested by the Westchester County government.

Meyer doesn't plan to stay in the Legislature anyway, although not because of the

treatment he's getting as a Democrat.

In 1972, the legislature changed the district lines. leaving Meyer's home town of New Castle out of his present district. he cannot run again in The 92nd district unless he moves into it.

He says he'll run for the Democratic nomination for the Senate or for a congressional seat. in Westchester.