PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello says he’s looking to freeze beach parking fees in Rhode Island, rather than increase them as the governor requested.
The Democrat told WPRO’s Tara Granahan on Thursday that the budget will likely maintain the current rates for two or three years.
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo wants fee increases at state beaches and campsites to add staffing in the state parks system.
The Department of Environmental Management proposed that residents pay $2 more for daily beach parking or $10 more for a season pass. Non-residents would pay $4 more for daily parking or $20 more for a season pass.
The General Assembly cut the fees in 2016.
Mattiello says more Rhode Island residents are going to the beach and he has heard from some who don’t want to pay more.
LISTEN BELOW:
