Former Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell (2003-11) will present the 2017 Gov. James J. Florio Distinguished Visiting Scholar in Public Policy Lecture on Monday, April 17, 4:00 p.m., at the Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, on the campus of Rutgers University.
While serving two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania (2003-11), Governor Rendell oversaw a budget of $28.3 billion as the chief executive of the nation’s 6th-most-populous state. He was committed to making government more responsible and responsive to the public’s needs, and he successfully cut wasteful spending and improved efficiency leading to savings of over $1 billion. His legislative agenda focused on commonsense political reform and putting progress ahead of partisanship. Through his unprecedented strategic investments, Gov. Rendell energized the state’s economy, revitalized communities, improved education, protected the environment, expanded access to health care to all children, and made affordable prescription drugs available to older Pennsylvanians.
Perhaps no other issue has been and continues to be as important to Gov. Rendell as America’s dire need to rebuild and reinvest in its infrastructure, which will be the topic of his lecture.
During his two terms as Mayor of Philadelphia (1992-2000), he eliminated a crippling deficit, balanced the City’s budget, and generated five consecutive budget surpluses. Philadelphia’s renaissance, which The New York Times called “the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history,” is largely attributed to his determination, inspiration, and energy.
In partnership with the offices of Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt, & Fader LLC, the Bloustein School recognizes Gov. Florio’s public service career through the endowment of a high-level visiting scholar. The annual Governor James J. Florio Distinguished Visiting Scholar of Public Policy will be a former senior government official or policy practitioner, focusing on an issue that was central to his legislative and gubernatorial career. New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley was the inaugural scholar.
The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is requested by visiting http://bit.ly/florioscholar-2017