NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — If council members in Niagara Falls get their way, there will be new tourist surcharges to park and explore attractions on our side of the border.
Money from the fees would go to help balance the city budget.
Usually when 2 On Your Side does stories about people paying more for something, things usually don't turn out so good.
For starters, in Niagara Falls it costs $10 to park in lots within the state park.
City council on Wednesday night passed a resolution requesting that Albany pass legislation to add tourist surcharges here. This is how they breakdown:
- An additional $5 to park if you're in a car
- $20 if you're in a bus
- And an additional $2 to go to the Cave of the Winds or ride the Maid of the Mist.
Is this being brought up because the city is in such financial disrepair and is struggling?
"Absolutely not. To me, honestly, I'm looking at the end of the casino compact," Niagara Falls council member Kenny Tompkins said. "New York State gives us a lot of money from New York State as a poverty city, but we don't get anything out of the state park."
At a time when the City of Niagara Falls still is not getting casino revenue from the Seneca Nation, the city could make millions of dollars to help balance its budget off of these fees.
2 On Your Side has reached out to the offices of State Senator Rob Ortt and Assembly Member Angelo Morinello, who both represent Niagara Falls. We have not heard back as to whether they have an appetite for sponsoring this legislation.
The state parks issued a statement as well:
"The agency doesn't comment on proposed legislation. We are committed to working with the City of Niagara Falls to continue building on the great work we've accomplished in recent years to bolster the city's tourism economy."