Rendell Expects to Have a Busy Last Year

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell says he’s not worried about slipping into “lame duck” status during his final year in office. 2010 is Rendell’s last full year on the job, and he says he’ll keep busy by pushing for a natural gas severance tax, increased basic education funding and legislation addressing electric rate increases, among other efforts.
Rendell says he doesn’t accept the notion that a governor fades into obscurity at the end of a second term.

"I’m the governor of the fifth-largest state in the union. And the governor wields a significant amount of power here. The only way the governor doesn’t stay relevant is if the governor just gives up the ghost and doesn’t do his job. I intend to stay very relevant."

But Rendell did talk about his post-gubernatorial plans at a recent press conference, addressing speculation he’ll try to replace Bud Selig as Major League Baseball Commissioner.

"You know, I love the sport. If asked I would undoubtedly serve. I think I could market the sport of baseball very well, which I think it needs. But I’m not counting on it."

Rendell says he’s planning on teaching, writing a book, and expanding his sports broadcasting career.
Rendell says he likely won’t endorse a candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. He said he’s close with Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox.
When asked about Auditor General Jack Wagner, who –perhaps pointedly -- Rendell didn’t mention, the governor said, “he’s a fine public servant.”