PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: …John J. Contino, former director of the state Ethics Commission, said Pennsylvania had failed to put reasonable controls on junkets by lawmakers…
State Sen. Lloyd Smucker, a Republican from a district that covers Lancaster County and chairman of the State Government Committee, said his panel could go farther than banning cash gifts. He said the legislature could ban or limit all manner of freebies – including lodging, food, and transportation costs…
In Pennsylvania, it’s perfectly legal for lawmakers to accept free travel and the rest, providing they disclose the largesse if it exceeds certain amounts. If they fail to report, they can be charged with a misdemeanor – a rare event – or fined $250… (more)
