Rendell Responds to Racing Commission's Decision

Governor Edward G. Rendell today issued the following statement on the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission's decision regarding Valley View Downs and Bedford Downs:

"I have followed the recent actions of the Harness Racing Commission regarding the license applications of Valley View Downs and Bedford Downs closely. My staff and I are reviewing the Adjudication issued by the commission yesterday and that review will inform the actions the Administration takes regarding the final harness track license.

"In the interim, though, there are several important points to keep in mind as the commission moves forward:

"The commission is an independent agency whose members are appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate. They are charged with doing what the commissioners feel is in the best interests of harness racing in Pennsylvania. The independence of its members ensures that it will carry out this mandate free of political influence. In this case, the commission has made a decision and has set forth the reasons the commissioners believe support that decision. It will be for the applicants -- not me, nor any other elected official -- to determine the responses to that decision.

"Some have suggested that the commission decision reflects a bias towards locating the final track license in eastern Pennsylvania. My review of the commission's decision reflects no such bias. Given the current locations of racetracks across the commonwealth, I believe that it is in the best interest of Pennsylvania that this harness license be awarded to a location in western Pennsylvania.

"The expansion of gaming in Pennsylvania is vitally important to our ability to deliver property tax relief and economic development to our citizens. I have been as great a proponent of moving quickly with the licensing process as anyone -- yet I recognize that it is even more important that we proceed fairly and openly, and that no one rushes to judgment. I would hope that everyone interested in the decision of the commission will proceed deliberately so that the license can be issued as soon as practicable given the current circumstances."

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.