Pennsylvania state legislators flew to foreign lands, cheered on pro sports teams from the stands and even paid some criminal defense legal bills last year without having to crack open their own wallets.

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.

Free or partially free travel took them to Ireland, Poland, Taiwan, Mexico, Las Vegas and beyond. They reaped free tickets to watch Penn State’s football team and NASCAR races in the Poconos, not to mention the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and 76ers. Ski passes were covered and greens fees were gratis.
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