Lawmakers Keep Expenses Off-Line

Lawmakers have demanded greater openness from companies receiving government bailouts but have yet to release online or electronic versions of their own office expenditures -- including taxpayer-funded tabs for leased cars and staff retreats at hotels. House and Senate lawmakers are given an annual allowance of $1.3 million to $4.5 million to run their offices. Most is spent on staff salaries, but money is also used for official equipment, office supplies and travel. The House and Senate say they are considering making lawmakers' spending records available in electronic form. Currently, the information is published only in printed volumes.