WPRO Newsroom

House Speaker Nick Mattiello says he suspects the author of a report detailing overspending in the fire services in Rhode Island has an agenda.

“I suspect the report is one-sided”, Mattiello tells WPRO’s Gene Valicenti.

Mattiello suggested the report’s author, former gubernatorial candidate Ken Block, set out to find something, when detailing reports of overspending.

Block’s report, issued under the name Watchdog RI, said Rhode Island spends 300 million dollars on fire protection services, more than many other larger cities and states.

Mattiello said the system of fire districts and spending on fire departments are largely a local issue, although he concedes those services can certainly be provided more efficiently in some communities.

Ken Block declined to comment.