Freebies for freeloading lawmakers

Not only are Pennsylvania legislators among the highest paid in the country, not to mention among the least productive, but lawmakers also enjoy all sorts of free perks (besides the ones they bill to taxpayers like a car, free gas, and $150 a day in meal money).

Lawmakers are often treated to freebies by various lobbyists and special interest courts wanting to court their favor.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a new law will make it easier for taxpayers to track some of the freebies these public servants are helping themselves to. (It doesn't mean the practice will stop. It just means taxpayers can find out easier about the freebies for politicians.)

From the article by Mario F. Cattabiani:

One of Pennsylvania's top lobbying firms treated Delaware County Rep. Ron Raymond to its luxury suite to watch minor-league hockey: $1,230.

An international packaging conglomerate provided $2,000 in golf balls for outings thrown by Philadelphia Reps. John Perzel and George Kenney.

Rep. Camille "Bud" George of Clearfield County got tickets for himself, his wife and two friends to watch the Nittany Lions take on three Big Ten gridiron opponents. Penn State picked up the tab - $1,380 in all.

Read the full story, "Harder to hide lobbyists' largesse," here.