Governor Ed Rendell: Biography

Edward G. Rendell was inaugurated as Pennsylvania’s 45th Governor on January 21, 2003. As Governor, Rendell serves as Chief Executive of the nation’s 6th most populous state, and oversees a $22 billion budget.

Upon taking office as Governor, Rendell proposed The Plan for a New Pennsylvania, which was unparalleled in state history.  The Plan for a New Pennsylvania included historic property tax relief and unprecedented investment in our classrooms. Rendell’s Plan also implemented an economic stimulus programhttp://newpa.com/ that will invest nearly $2.3 billion in bonds and loan guarantees to leverage an additional $5 billion in private investment in economic development projects across the state.

From 1992 through 1999, Governor Rendell served as the 121st Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. Before serving as Mayor, Mr. Rendell was elected District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia for two terms from 1978 through 1985.

Among his many accomplishments as Mayor, Mr. Rendell eliminated a $250 million deficit; balanced the City’s budget and generated five consecutive budget surpluses; reduced business and wage taxes for four consecutive years; implemented new revenue-generating initiatives, and dramatically improved services to the City’s neighborhoods.  The New York Times called the Philadelphia renaissance under Rendell “the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history.”

Dubbed “America’s Mayor” by Al Gore, then-mayor Rendell worked tirelessly to revive Philadelphia’s economy and position it as a destination city. During the Rendell administration, Philadelphia saw the end of six years of job losses and enjoyed six straight years of job gains. Philadelphia is nationally and internationally recognized for its enhanced historical tourist attractions, a thriving downtown, and a vibrant Convention Center.

The Governor, who served as General Chair of the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 Presidential election, has always been active in the community through a variety of memberships on boards and also teaches two government and politics courses at the University of Pennsylvania.  Governor Rendell, an Army veteran, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A. 1965) and Villanova Law School (J.D. 1968). He was born on January 5, 1944.

Since becoming Governor, under his leadership and direction, major elements of his Plan for a New PA have been realized.  These initiatives include: historic increases in education funding; passage of an economic stimulus package to revitalize our towns and communities; passage of legislation to reduce property taxes; and expansion of PA’s PACE and PACENET program to provide our seniors with much needed prescription drug coverage.

The Governor and his wife, First Lady Marjorie O. Rendell, a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, have one son, Jesse.  They celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on July 10, 2005.

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