Rendell postponing budget speech because of Super Bowl

Saturday, January 29th 2005, 11:40 am

By: News On 6

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) _ Gov. Ed Rendell has bumped his annual budget address back a day so it won't conflict with Super Bowl travel or a potential Philadelphia Eagles victory parade.

Pennsylvania governors typically deliver their messages about state spending plans on the Tuesday in the first full week of February. But Rendell has asked House and Senate leaders to push back his speech to Wednesday ``in consideration of potential scheduling difficulties for those traveling out of state during the days immediately preceding Feb. 8.''

Rendell spokeswoman Kate Philips said the travelers to whom the governor was referring in his letter to legislative leaders were Eagles fans who, like Rendell, are heading to Jacksonville, Fla., to see Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6.

If the Eagles beat the New England Patriots, there will be a victory parade on Feb. 8 that could pose ``scheduling challenges,'' Philips said.

``The governor is not jinxing the Eagles,'' Philips said. ``He is well aware of the Philadelphia curse and would never do anything to jeopardize the Eagles' chances for victory.''

Legislative leaders agreed to the request, but a spokesman for House Majority Leader Sam Smith, R-Jefferson, said he didn't know of any House member planning to be absent that Tuesday.

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader David ``Chip'' Brightbill, R-Lebanon, declined comment.