Flag spotting in New York suburbs

Aug 14, 2024

Assemblymember Matt Slater says the response to his letters to flag-displaying constituents has largely been positive. “They appreciated the fact that there's somebody out there who's saying, ‘Hey, thank you for being a proud American,’” he said. | AP Photo

O SAY, CAN I SEE (YOUR FLAG)?: About two weeks ago a letter arrived in the mailbox of one of Republican Assemblymember Matt Slater’s constituents.

“Dear Neighbor, Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting your neighborhood and noted that you had an American flag on display outside your home,” the letter read. “As your State Assemblyman, I wanted to sincerely thank you for your patriotism. … It’s evident that you have great pride for our nation!”

The letter, shared with POLITICO by one of Slater’s constituents, was sent to about 120 residents of his district, which includes parts of Westchester and Putnam counties.

“I’m like, ‘This is ridiculous.'” said one of Slater’s constituents who received the letter and asked not to be named for this story.

Not only was the constituent completely unaware that Slater had visited her area, she had no idea he had stopped in front of her home to mark down one of its characteristics.

“I found it intrusive, because you're targeting people based on an American flag,” she said.

Slater said the letter was not intended to cause any discomfort. Instead, he wanted to show comradery and patriotism, especially during a time when some say the American flag has increasingly become a display of partisanship.

“If the left wants to try to paint the fact that the American flag is somehow a partisan symbol, I would genuinely hope that people would see past that and rise above it,” Slater said. “And that's why, I just think it was just a genuine gesture to say, ‘Thank you for being a proud American.’”

The New York Civil Liberties Union, which acts to protect citizens from the overreach of government or political offices, said the Republican’s actions did not appear to violate anyone’s civil liberties or the Constitution.

Slater said it was in no way intended to cause discomfort.

“It's literally just me whenever I'm in a community or a neighborhood and I'm able to write down the address of a flag,” he said.

Instead, according to Slater, the response has largely been positive.

“They appreciated the fact that there's somebody out there who's saying, ‘Hey, thank you for being a proud American,’” Slater said.

“If someone is made uncomfortable by that sentiment, I respect their opinion on the matter, but the intention is pure. I think that is important, considering the hyperpartisanship that's out there, that we remember that we're all Americans,” he added.

A June NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found that a majority of Americans from both parties are proud to display the American flag. But the divide between parties was stark: 90 percent of Republicans said they were proud to display the flag, compared to 67 percent of Democrats who said the same.

The letters, according to Slater, were not part of a tactic to reach voters who may be more likely to support him. But they were a way for him to get in front of constituents and provide his contact information.

“As your State Assemblyman, I aim to serve you and represent your best interests,” the letter reads, providing his office phone number. “God bless, Matt Slater,” he signed it. — Jason Beeferman

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From the Capitol

Elmhurt Hospital is pictured. | NYC.gov

Elmhurst Hospital in Queens will receive $27.5 million from the state to expand maternal and pediatric health care facilities. | NYC.gov

QUEENS GOT THE MONEY: NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst will get an infusion of $27.5 million in capital to expand access to women’s health services and build a pediatric intensive care unit to care for critically ill children, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.

The state investment includes $20 million to double the size of the public hospital’s existing Women’s Pavilion and add new resources, including care for pelvic floor disorders and gynecological cancers and mental health counseling for postpartum depression and anxiety.

“This will help the moms and the children in the neighborhood right here,” Hochul said during the announcement.

Hochul said the expanded pavilion will also increase the hospital’s capacity to deliver prenatal services, noting that her policy enacting 20 hours of paid prenatal leave for New Yorkers goes into effect Jan. 1. — Maya Kaufman

IN OTHER NEWS

DEMS TO PARTY TONIGHT: What began as a low-key fundraiser for a local Democratic club has quickly morphed into a high-profile rally for New York Democrats celebrating the Harris-Walz ticket, organizers of this evening’s event told Playbook.

The “New York City Kickoff,” to be hosted at the aptly named Unity Hall in Harlem, is expected to be at capacity. The venue had to be switched three times during the planning process as the number of attendees swelled, and the list of hosts and guests now fills three pages of promotional fliers.

House Rep. Adriano Espaillat had signed on, then New York City Mayor Eric Adams, then Gov. Kathy Hochul. They’ll be joined by dozens of additional elected Democrats as well as representatives of the United Federation of Teachers and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council.

“Everybody is so, so excited about this opportunity to elect the first female president,” the governor told reporters earlier today, saying she’d help energize the base and “run up the score” in New York.

The excitement reflects the organic support that has sprung up since Kamala Harris was named to the top of the ticket, said Harlem district leader and event organizer Corey Ortega.

“We think we’ve got it in the bag, because every report, every tweet, every IG (Instagram) continues to say something progressive — not in terms of policy, but the campaign moving forward — about Kamala,” Ortega said in an interview. “The polls say she’s up, the people say she’s up — every group for Kamala that you can think of: Dominicans for Kamala, white dudes for Kamala, South Asians for Kamala.”

Harris leads Donald Trump in new polling of blue wall states, but the race for president is still expected to be tight. — Emily Ngo

KENNEDY V. NEW YORK: Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy will appeal a state-level judge’s ruling that removed him from the ballot in New York.

State Supreme Court Justice Christina Ryba’s ruling on Monday determined Kennedy falsely claimed he was a New York resident when submitting nominating petitions.

Kennedy this afternoon called the ruling “an assault on voters” who signed petitions supporting his candidacy.

“The Democratic Party is unrecognizable to me,” Kennedy said in a statement released by his campaign. “The party of my father and uncle’s time was committed to expanding voters’ rights and understood that competition at the ballot box is an essential part of American Democracy.”

The challenge to Kennedy’s ballot status in New York was backed by a Democratic-allied political action committee. The group, Clear Choice Action, had argued Kennedy purposefully misled officials when claiming New York residency.

Kennedy has struggled in polls this summer. And he has contended with bizarre stories, including an acknowledgment that he dumped a dead bear in Central Park more than a decade ago as a prank. — Nick Reisman

— DEM AND EX-DEM: A Brooklyn Assembly race could hinge on what it means to be a Democrat. (City & State)

— CRIME WATCH: Serious assaults are on the rise in New York City — even as violent crime rates overall continue to drop. (Gothamist)

— BRUCE’S CASH: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has more than $1 million in his campaign account, but has not announced plans for his political future. (Newsday)

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