TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Organizers of the Republican National Convention want hotel operators in Tampa to lower their rates for the event.

Hotel operators said the rates they plan to charge and the booking fee were specified in contracts they signed with the Tampa Bay Host Committee for the August 2012 event. But the Republican Party has since replaced its convention planning staff, which now wants the hotels to cut their prices.

That hasn't gone down well with the hoteliers, who met this week to air their complaints. They say none of the hotels asked for their peak rates and aren't inclined to lower them now.

A spokesman for the GOP's Committee on Arrangements said he is confident the disagreement can be worked out.

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