HARRISBURG, Pa., July 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell today issued the following statement:

    "I would welcome a petition from the legislature for a special session
to address ethics and reform. I would remind the legislature that many of
the alleged acts were violations of current law. It was the absence of
strict, internal financial controls and disclosure that allowed this to
occur for as long as it did. That can, and should, be changed immediately.

    "In my second inaugural address, I called for a set of constitutional
and legislative changes that would result in necessary reforms. Only one of
these goals, the open records act, has been enacted.

    "The fall schedule will be a busy one, as the vital issues of energy
conservation, utility rate mitigation, and health care are the primary
matters we must address. But, I believe if we dedicate ourselves to work
over the summer to try to reach a consensus on each of these challenges we
can address all of these issues by the end of the year."

    The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us.

    CONTACT: Chuck Ardo

    717-783-1116