Subject: Puerto Rico
From: Alejandro Garcia Padilla <[email-masked]>
To: John Podesta <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:40:44 -0400

Dear John – I write to seek your counsel on how to bring a greater sense of urgency in the White House to Puerto Rico affairs. As you know, last week DOT announced the Tiger Grant awards for the 72 projects in 46 states that were selected. No project in Puerto Rico was selected. We invested substantial effort in Tiger grant applications for Science City and an urban renewal and transportation project in the heart of San Juan. Science City in particular, a project by the Puerto Rico Science Trust and our state university, is essential for the island’s long term growth prospects. We even committed $11,200,000 (40% of the total cost) to that project at a time when we’re strapped for cash. I had conveyed the importance of the application in various letters to, and meetings with, the Task Force. Puerto Rico’s allies in Congress also weighed in. 

 Now with the resignations of Tony West and David Agnew, who’ve been strong advocates of Puerto Rico, my concern is that no one in the White House is leading Puerto Rico issues. In early August I requested a meeting with the Task Force to discuss projects that will promote Puerto Rico’s economic development. I’m optimistic that the meeting will be convened; however, I believe that if a senior Administration official was in charge of the Task Force we would’ve already met and, hopefully, some projects would be underway. 

 We’re facing very challenging times and any recovery effort in respect of Puerto Rico needs robust support from the White House. I think that if a senior Administration official is not tasked with moving Puerto Rico matters forward our outlook won’t be promising.

 Any counsel you may provide is much appreciated. 

Alejandro García Padilla