Report: Trip to Paris cost state thousands

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Two Pennsylvania Turnpike commissioners and the agency's top two employees spent $13,680 to attend an international conference in Paris, featuring a five-day stay at a luxury hotel, a newspaper reported.
According to a review of records by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the turnpike officials billed the state for airfare, rooms at the hotel and $570 in meals at the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association meeting in September.
The trip came as turnpike officials are considering the first toll increase since 1991 amid financial problems and low reserves.
Commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin defended the trip, calling it no different from other trade shows. Turnpike Commission Vice Chairman Timothy Carson, who also attended, said it was important for officials from the state, and especially from Philadelphia, to attend the meeting because Philadelphia will host it next year.