Mike Veon sees political motives behind the no-decision by the state Harness Racing Commission, which Thursday denied both applications for a harness-racing track northwest of Pittsburgh.

"When the commissioners say they're going to take new applications the same day they turn these down, that leads me to believe that there's something behind this that is more than what we see," Mr. Veon said last night.

But as the minority whip in the state House of Representatives, Mr. Veon, a Democrat from Beaver Falls, is in a position to play some politics himself.

He started that process publicly last night, calling on Beaver County residents to write letters and make phone calls to Gov. Ed Rendell. Mr. Veon wants Mr. Rendell to call on the commissioners to reconsider -- and wants him to replace them if they won't.

"Western Pennsylvania is not going to be left behind," Mr. Veon said to a crowd of about 50. "This decision cannot stand and will not stand."

Mr. Veon has been a vocal proponent of a proposed track in South Beaver Township, Beaver County. The competing proposal was from Union Township, Lawrence County, about 30 miles to the north.

The harness-racing track, wherever it ends up being built, is all but assured of getting the final slot-machine license in the state. Both Beaver and Lawrence counties regard it as a huge economic plum.

The fear is that if the process is reopened, the track and slots parlor will end up in the state's eastern region. One protester at the meeting carried a sign saying, "Beaver Yeah, Philly Neigh."

Mr. Veon also said the legislation was written to ensure that there would be a new track in Western Pennsylvania.

"The reason I fought so hard for it was for job creation for all of Pennsylvania, not just eastern Pennsylvania," he said.

Mr. Veon was joined by the three Beaver County commissioners and other members of the county's legislative delegation -- including state Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-Rochester, and state Rep Frank LaGrotta, D-Ellwood City, whose districts include parts of both Beaver and Lawrence counties.

"We've got to make it clear to the governor that this is important to us," Mr. LaGrotta said, "and that it will be important to him next year in Western Pennsylvania."