SACRAMENTO - Since 2000, California lawmakers were gifted $125,000 worth of tickets to "the happiest place on earth," Disneyland.
While none of those lawmakers are from the central coast, Central Coast News learned local legislators are getting big gifts in other ways.
Restricting lawmakers from getting free tickets and other gifts from different people and groups keeps getting shot down in Sacramento.
And, it's no wonder.
Congressman Jeff Denham, for example, got treated to a $667 lunch by the Pacific Racing Association in 2008 when he was senator.
Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian was treated to a $145 dinner on PG&E's dime last year.
Sen. Sam Blakeslee's gifts weren't too pricey -- The highest being a $183 dinner from the California Chamber of Commerce in 2009.
Bruce McPherson, former senator, once received a $340 ticket to a Sacramento King's basketball game in 2004.
Other big gifts include the Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies paying Assemblyman Bill Monning $580 for meals, lodging and transportation to speak at an event.
Assebmlyman Luis Alejo dined with the Western States Petroleum Association that picked up the $323 tab.
He released this statement to Central Coast News: "My policy is not to accept gifts in the office. However, there are circumstances when meetings occur at an outside location and a gift expense is incurred. We track those circumstances and disclose any and all gifts accepted according to state law."
Assemblyman Das Williams got $357 by the Humboldt Redwood Company for a tour through the Klamath Alliance for Resources & Environment.
Central Coast News received this statement from Assemblyman Williams: "I am happy to look at a ban on gifts from lobbyists. However, the Fair Political Practices Commission does closely regulate and enforce interactions between lawmakers and others. We know of excessive gifts because the transparency of the current system."
