COLUMBIA--Some legislators want the state Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department to lower fees for state parks for senior citizens.

For years, seniors had benefited from a 50 percent discount, but that was cut to 15 percent this year as the agency raised fees to balance its budget. So far, seniors have paid $977,000 of the $1.3 million generated by the increase in fees, which also included a hike in camping fees and other charges.

Seniors now bear too much of the burden, said Rep. Bill Sandifer, R-Seneca, said Thursday as the agency's budget was discussed in a House Ways and Means subcommittee hearing.

"I simply think that's unconscionable," Sandifer said. At his district's popular Oconee State Park, the increase "levies $92,661 on my senior citizens," he said.

Director Chad Prosser said the department had to raise fees to avoid cutting services or closing parks, and the agency thought that was the fairest way to do it.

Only 10 of the state's 46 parks gather enough revenue to pay for themselves.

Sandifer is circulating a bill that would force a 35 percent discount for seniors. "I am ready to do battle on this thing, I think it is wrong."