Governor Rendell wraps up campaign at La Salle

By Christina Katsifas
Collegian Reporter
November 8, 2006

Students and faculty gathered outside of the Union Building Nov. 6 during free period to hear Governor Ed Rendell deliver his re-election campaign speech.

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell campaigned for re-election Nov. 6 outside of
the Union building - Francesca Lo Basso

The event was sponsored by the Young Democrats and the political science department, and was kicked off with an introduction by Dr. Mary Ellen Balchunis-Harris, a political science professor.

Since Rendell was running slightly behind schedule and arrived about 40 minutes late, Balchunis-Harris gave the audience some extended background information about the man who has been Pennsylvania’s governor since 2003.

Balchunis-Harris pointed out that Rendell has visited La Salle on several occasions, dating back to when he served as mayor of Philadelphia and again when he launched his campaign for District Attorney.

“It is nice to be back and give my last speech here,” Rendell said after arriving on his red, white and blue campaign bus.

Rendell began his speech by stating that government can and should make a difference in people’s lives.

He placed a great deal of emphasis on the importance of issues like affordable healthcare for children, high quality education for students and raising the minimum wage to combat poverty.

According to Rendell, parents shouldn’t have to worry about being able to afford their child’s healthcare, and mentioned the “Cover All Kids” program that will be put into action early 2007. This program ensures that every child in Pennsylvania has access to healthcare.

“The United States of America should cover healthcare, but since the federal government won’t do it, we will,” he said.

Rendell made a point about early childhood education by jokingly offering two tickets to the Super Bowl to any audience member who could guess the age at which Pennsylvania requires its school districts to begin education. A female student correctly guessed age eight.

According to Rendell, this law has put Pennsylvania behind the age requirements of other states. He also pointed out that foreign nations such as China begin educating their children as early as age three.

To overcome this problem, Rendell has worked to supply state funding to both pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten.

Additionally, Rendell has worked to add $55 million in grants to guarantee higher education for students, an accomplishment that was met with cheers from members of the audience.

In between highlighting some of the main issues of his campaign, Rendell told the audience that the best part of being governor was having the ability to raise the salary of one woman who worked at a Motel Six, making only $10,700 each year.

“The federal government has set the poverty level to $14,000. It’s disgraceful,” Rendell said.

After appearing at a church in West Philadelphia over the summer, Rendell signed a bill that would raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania to $7.15. This raise will be put into effect early in 2007.

“The thing that gave me the most satisfaction about being governor was being able to raise the salary for this hard-working woman by $4,000 per year,” Rendell said, referring to the employee at Motel Six.

Rendell concluded his speech by thanking those who sponsored and attended the event. Before boarding his campaign bus, Rendell left the audience with some advice:

“Nothing matters until 7 p.m. tomorrow. Make sure you get out there and vote.”

katsifask1@lasalle.edu