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Cuomo Pledges Advice and Assistance to Puerto Rico
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo greeted a bystander at a market in San Juan on Tuesday.Credit Ricardo Arduengo/Associated Press

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo completed a daylong tour to Puerto Rico on Tuesday by promising to offer advice, technical assistance and summitry to a territory facing some $72 billion in debt.

The assistance was largely in the form of expertise and influence, including promises to push Washington to increase federal health care funding on the island and to develop a plan to evaluate and improve its current Medicaid program; to send state teams specializing in agriculture and energy issues; and to hold a “commercialization summit” to help find funding for “promising early-stage Puerto Rican businesses.”

The single cash pledge was a proposal of a $5 million tourism campaign to encourage travel between New York State and Puerto Rico, which will need to be put in next year’s budget.

Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, announced his “aggressive action plan” in a joint appearance in San Juan with a raft of city, state and federal officials who made the trip, and Gov. Alejandro García Padilla, the island’s chief executive.

And while Puerto Rico is a short flight from New York, Mr. Cuomo cast the trip — and his traveling companions, including Eric T. Schneiderman, the attorney general; Carl E. Heastie, the Assembly speaker; Melissa Mark-Viverito, the City Council speaker; and Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller — as momentous.

“I don’t think there has been a delegation from New York, or maybe any other state, like this before,” the governor said, adding, “I refer to this as the New York dream team.” Mayor Bill de Blasio was not among the Democrats in the delegation.

Puerto Rico was just the latest jaunt for Mr. Cuomo, a second-term governor who spent almost every hour of his first four years in office in the state. But over the last year or so, Mr. Cuomo has spent more time on the road, including trips to Israel and Cuba, and there are promises of visits to even more far-flung locales.

This week’s trip, as with many things related to Mr. Cuomo, prompted speculation of other electoral considerations, particularly considering Puerto Rico’s importance in New York, and its emerging national influence.

But speaking in San Juan, Mr. Cuomo noted the deep connections between the island and New York, including the state’s one million Puerto Rican residents and a multitude of personal, practical and financial connections.

“Your problems really are New York’s problems,” he said.

Mr. García Padilla has been blunt about Puerto Rico’s debt in recent months, calling it “unpayable” and arguing that the island’s 3.6 million residents cannot solve the problems through austerity measures or tax increases alone.

And on Tuesday, Mr. Cuomo was effusive in his praise for Mr. García Padilla, calling him “an extraordinary talent,” and praising his skills and authenticity.

“He does everything for the right reason,” the New York governor said.

Over all, Mr. Cuomo seemed in good spirits and confident in his plans, though that did not extend to speaking Spanish to the crowd.

“I’m going to speak in English,” Mr. Cuomo said, “because I don’t want to dishonor your language with my attempt.”

Read more http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/640350/s/49ae9008/sc/28/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A90C0A90Cnyregion0Ccuomo0Epledges0Eadvice0Eand0Eassistance0Eto0Epuerto0Erico0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm


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