The Associated Press reports that members of the Pennsylvania Legislature were treated to $111,000 in freebies by various special interest groups. This does not include the millions of dollars lobbyists spend to keep the legislators in line.
This is just the perks lawmakers receive in the course of doing their jobs.
Lawmakers collected about $22,000 in gifts and $89,000 in subsidized travel in 2007, according to an Associated Press analysis of their annual Statement of Financial Interests forms. The forms were due at the State Ethics Commission on Thursday.
The freebies included free travel to Ireland, Poland, Taiwan, Mexico and Las Vegas. How else are you going to learn about issues facing Pennsylvania residents if you don't get the hell out of the state, I say.
The most expensive state legislature in the country also scored free tickets to Penn State's football, Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and 76ers games and NASCAR races in the Poconos. And let's not forget those ski passes and greens fees.
The political aristocracy is living it up in Harrisburg while Pennsylvania taxpayers struggle to keep food on the table and gas in the cars.
Read the full story at The Mercury's Web site.
You can review financial interest statements for individual lawmakers at http://www.ethicsrulings.state.pa.us/
Do yourself (and every other Pennsylvania taxpayer) a favor -- vote out an incumbent in November. It's the only way to send a message to the Political Class that we can't support the lifestyle of the rich and famous these "public servants" have become accostomed to.
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