TALLAHASSEE -- Rather than drive or fly commercial planes, a small group of lawmakers has billed taxpayers for the convenience of getting to Tallahassee on private planes -- some of them linked to lobbyists and companies with a stake in the decisions legislators make.

The 19 Democratic and Republican legislators took private flights totaling more than $37,000 during the recent legislative session, state records show. That represents a fraction of the state's $66.5 billion budget, but it raises questions about the relationships between lawmakers and the groups seeking their votes. And in a time of deep budget cuts, critics say it would be better to find a cheap commercial flight or simply drive -- as constituents do.

``I believe you need to do everything you can to save taxpayer dollars,'' said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who flies only commercial. ``At the same time, you should be showing taxpayers you aren't being accommodated in a special way. Any government official should do their best to take a commercial flight with no lobbyists or lobbyist clients connected to it.''

The costliest flier was Rep. Tom Grady, R-Naples, a successful trial attorney whose net worth exceeds $10 million. He regularly charged taxpayers for use of a private plane arranged by the Naples technology firm InfiNetwork, one of whose executives donated $250 to Grady's campaign. The bill for taxpayers: $7,800.

Contrast that with Miami Rep. James Bush III, 54, a teacher and minister who sometimes gets to Tallahassee on a Greyhound bus. The trip takes about 12 hours and costs less than $100 each way.

``My purpose is to go and help the taxpayers and get to my committee meetings,'' said Bush, a Democrat. ``That's why the people elected me as their representative. That's why it is important to do things in a reasonable manner.''

HARD TO CHECK

In 2005, legislators passed a law prohibiting lobbyists from giving them anything of value based on the premise that accepting gifts could directly or indirectly influence their votes. But as long as a legislator pays for the flight, the ban doesn't apply to trips on private jets, even if the flight offers the gift of convenience.

The Office of Legislative Services has some rules governing lawmakers' airline travel, such as a ban on first-class commercial airfare unless no other seat is available. But other policies are lenient or difficult to enforce. For example, there is no limit to what lawmakers can seek in reimbursement for a coach ticket. So if they book at the last minute and the airline charges a more expensive fare, the state covers it.

``We encourage them to get the lowest airfare available,'' said Jim Heberle, a program manager in the Office of Legislative Services.

The state allows lawmakers to use private charters if there are no direct flights from their home city, and as long as the cost is ``equal to or more economical'' than a commercial fare offered at the time, Heberle said.

``But if they file their vouchers like a month later, it's hard to go back and determine what the commercial flights cost on that day,'' he said.

Grady flew three round trips between Tallahassee and Naples on a private, single-engine two-seater, at a cost of $1,250 to $1,500 each way. He stated on his travel vouchers that there are ``no longer any direct flights from Naples to Tallahassee'' and ``private charter is most conducive and economical to House and constituent schedule.''

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