Governor Stumps In Emporium
Rendell Gets A Warm Cameron County Welcome

The Cameron County Democratic Committee held a welcoming luncheon at the Smith's Pizza Palace Monday for Governor Ed Rendell who made a stop in Emporium as he swung through northcentral Pennsylvania. Rendell, shown here cutting his welcoming cake, outlined what he has accomplished in his first term and what his goals are for tne next four years should he beat Republican Lynn Swann in November's Gubernatorial election. In the photo, Jamie Fragale (left) and Ed Tartaglia crack up as Rendell cuts his cake.

Cameron County Democrats, and even several Republicans, gave Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell a warm welcome when he visited the Pizza Palace Plus in Emporium on a campaign during a campaign tour through the northcentral region of the Commonwealth.

Rendell faces Republican candidate Lynn Swann in the general election on Nov. 7.

Gov. Rendell outlined the accomplishments he has achieved to a packed house.

Rendell said he was most proud of the cuts he made to state government spending.

"We reduced the cost of government and realized a savings of $1 billion," Rendell said. "And we've used that money to plow forward in other areas."

Rendell noted that he eliminated 660 vehicles from the state's fleet, a savings of $13 million he said. He noted that the savings included eliminating SUVs that were never taken off road and replacing them with fuel efficient, small cars.

He also said his administration made "historic" investments in education, by increasing the state's contribution to public education by $1.2 billion.

He announced that today in Pennsylvania there are more people working than ever before, some 120,000 more now than when he took office in 2003.

Governor Rendell said the state is "leading the way in expanded prescription drug coverage" for senior citizens. He said his plan to use Lottery revenues enabled another 92,000 senior citizens to gain coverage under PACE and PACENET.

Along those lines, the governor noted that he has introduced "Cover All Kids," a comprehensive health insurance program that will provide, if passed, insurance to all uninsured children in Pennsylvania.

Finally, Governor Rendell lauded his administration's ability to get Growin Greener II passed in 2005.

A bond issue of $625 million, the program is designed to make Pennsylvania "a healthier, better place to live," Rendell said.

Rendell, who stayed for a long lunch, did not take questions after the event and he did not discuss the recent chemical spill that took place here.