Freebies for PA lawmakers add up

In addition to top pay and generous benefits, Pennsylvania legislators received at least $67,000 in free items, according to newspaper reports.

From a story in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by reporter Tracie Mauriello:

Lawmakers last year got their hands on tickets to the Super Bowl, orchestra concerts, the Philadelphia Flower Show and Phillies games -- all without opening their wallets.

Those tickets are among at least $67,000 worth of freebies that state lawmakers accepted last year, according to statements of financial interest on file with the state Ethics Commission.

But that figure doesn't include more than $18,000 in food, facilities rental and other help lobbyists provided for lawmaker-hosted events, such as fairs for older residents in their districts.

Thirty-eight of the state's 253 senators and representatives disclosed receiving gifts such as yacht club memberships and travel to places as near as Philadelphia and as far as Rwanda.

Read the full story at the newspaper's website.