The Texas Watchdog team did some digging through the receipts submitted by Texas state senators for travel on the taxpayer dime.

Here's what we found: Texas state senators have racked up tens of thousands of dollars on the taxpayer's tab jetting around the state in charter planes, relaxing in luxury hotels and hobnobbing at exclusive junkets.

We're publishing our story Thursday morning.

Texas Watchdog reviewed state Senate travel records between January 1, 2008 and May of this year. Here's a taste of what we found:

* One state senator who went on a $3,000 seven-day junket in Maui, staying at a hotel that boasts a spa that "sets a new standard for head-to-toe pampering in paradise."

* Another state senator who spent more than $1,100 for two nights at a Ritz-Carlton on Manhattan's waterfront.

* A state senator who was reimbursed more than $17,000 for trips he took using his private plane -- when cheaper commercial flights were available.

Come on back tomorrow for the full story. If you have any questions in the meantime, give me a call on my cell at 832-316-4994.

Trent Seibert, editor, Texas Watchdog (trent@texaswatchdog.org)

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