The relationship between Governor Ed Rendell and Mayor John Street can be measured by the years they have spent as friends in powerful political positions. From 1992 to 1999, Rendell was mayor of Philadelphia and Street was the president of the City Council. The two men worked cooperatively together to make changes in the city of Philadelphia.
Many people believe the relationship between Street and Rendell could be in jeopardy after Rendell's decision on Feb. 9 to sign legislation that gave the Philadelphia Parking Authority control over management of on-street parking for the next 10 years. At the time, Street was preparing to take over on-street parking after the contract between the city and the Parking Authority expired on Feb. 16.
His plans were threatened by the bill after it passed through the State House of Representatives and Senate, but a city victory seemed imminent when Rendell implied he would veto the bill.
When Rendell signed the legislation instead of rejecting it, Street fought back. The mayor quickly prepared to sue the state over rights to on-street parking, and is currently preparing the necessary paperwork. Street spokeswoman Christine Ottow said the Law Department is still working on the suit and is "determining the best legal strategy."
Ottow acknowledged Street's extreme concerns with the issue of on-street parking and the governor's decision to sign the legislation. The mayor is also troubled over "several other events in the city where he hasn't been pleased with actions taken by the governor," Ottow said. Street made those concerns clear in an open letter to Rendell and Speaker of the House John Perzel (R-Phila.), a strong advocate of the bill.
"Because of serious concerns about the impact of the bill on the principle of home rule, my [administration] intends to address that issue in the Courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Street wrote.
Political Science professor Jack Nagel believes that because the friendship revolved around political power, the relationship between Street and Rendell has changed with Rendell's alliances as governor to other parties.
"Ironically, in going along with Perzel at the expense of Street, Rendell as governor is applying the same strategy that was the reason for the close relationship he had as mayor with Street," Nagel wrote in an e-mail. "To succeed as [m]ayor, he had to have the cooperation of the legislative branch (City Council), and Street as council president was the key to that. ... Therefore, Rendell did everything he could to cultivate Street."
Nagel noted that now as governor, Rendell has to have cooperation from the Republican-controlled legislature, which means that Perzel is the key to cooperation from Republicans.
"Unfortunately, the price of help on some measures from House Speaker Perzel is going along with his power plays at the expense of Street and what Street sees as the interests of the city that Rendell once led," Nagel said.
Street and Rendell have apparently avoided each other since the incident. "I don't believe that they've spoken since" the mayor's decision to sue, Ottow said, adding that she was unaware of any meetings scheduled between the two anytime soon. Street did not attend the last press conference given by Rendell in Philadelphia last week. However, Ottow acknowledged that the mayor was out of town during the press conference.
