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Political freebies in Pa. add up

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania lawmakers accepted more than $60,000 in travel, meals and other freebies last year, according to mandatory statements of financial interest newly filed with the State Ethics Commission.

About three dozen of the 253 state representatives and senators disclosed gifts or free "transportation, lodging, hospitality" in the reports that were due in Harrisburg on Friday.

They let others pay for their football and baseball tickets; golf fees; travel to Japan, Australia, Turkey and Switzerland; and legislative or political conferences at various locations within the United States.

They also accepted donations for senior expos and similar events worth an additional $15,000.

Rep. John Hornaman collected a membership in the Erie Yacht Club worth more than $700. He has attended tourism and fishing events at the club, and has had dinner with his wife at its restaurant.

"When they offered it to me, quite frankly, the cost factor didn't enter into my mind," said Hornaman, D-Erie. "It didn't even come to me — I thought it was a nice gesture."

Gov. Ed Rendell disclosed 14 plane trips that were paid for by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg or the campaigns of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He said the value of those trips was "unknown and unavailable."

Attorney General Tom Corbett received a $400 china bowl for speaking to the Union League in Philadelphia, $2,500 from law firm Blank Rome for a concert and dinner, and three trips paid for by the Republican State Leadership Committee worth a combined $4,700.

Lawmakers accepted ski passes, Penn State and Pitt football tickets and admission to concerts in Philadelphia.

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