By Bruce Landis
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority wants the state government to pick up the cost of the authority's debt service for the fiscal year that ends June 30, about $1.7 million, to help balance its budget.
Wayne Hannon, a deputy state budget officer assigned to RIPTA, said that the estimated deficit stands at $2.5 million.
He said the authority is discussing the matter with the House and Senate Finance committees, which are putting the annual state budget together.