The perks of being an actor or athlete are well known across the county. But people in those professions are not the only ones who see benefits after a hard day's work.

Pennsylvania state legislators who rise to the status of political superstars receive their fair share of freebies from lobbyists, big corporations, and even Penn State.

This relationship has left some people upset over the current regulations regarding these perks, but many state legislators are saying it's more business than benefit.

"I haven't heard about any extravagant gifts for politicians," Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, said. "It happens throughout the world. I've been invited to Europe and the presidential palaces there to get a better, eye-opening experience."

Fumo said these trips, whether they're to Europe or a Penn State campus, are made so the government does not become isolated or out of touch with where state money is going.

University spokesman Tysen Kendig said Penn State campuses frequently attract legislators.

"A football Saturday at Penn State is a great opportunity to attract legislators ... and give them an opportunity to interact with our students, faculty and staff," Kendig said.

These political perks are a great way to draw lawmakers to Penn State's campuses almost every day of the week and highlight different colleges or state-funded academic research programs, Kendig said.

When government officials have a few dinners, meet with Penn State President Graham Spanier or attend football games, it helps develop relationships with state lawmakers, Fumo said.

"Penn State gets a lot of money from the commonwealth, and I guess they do this as a way to keep it up," Fumo said.

State appropriations have been a recent concern for students as school costs have been increasing. Therefore, the help from the state is a way to lower tuition costs, he added.

And since the trip from his offices to State College isn't a normal route for him, Fumo said an invitation to Penn State just about every year allows him to get a feel for what's really going on at University Park, which he thinks is important.

"I don't see anything nefarious about it," he said.

Still, many people are drawing attention to state lawmakers and the perks they receive -- and not just from college campuses.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported April 16 that last winter, 75 House and Senate members collected 280 V.I.P. season passes from a Pennsylvania ski association for themselves, their families or their staffs, along with other gifts from the circus and golf courses.

Beverly Cigler, Penn State Harrisburg professor of public policy and administration, said because of these perks, the state needs to enforce lobby registration and spending disclosures -- something Pennsylvania doesn't currently do.

"We should know what [lobbyists] are giving people and spending should be limited," Cigler said. "The public should know what is going on."

But such a law has gone through the system before.

Cigler said a commonwealth court struck down a law requiring disclosure because it "violated the court's exclusive authority to regulate the practice of law."

The state Supreme Court, she added, declined to hear the case, so the lower court's decision stood. In other states, such as New Jersey, lobbyists must report any spending that exceeds $25, and in Wisconsin, lobbyists are prohibited from giving any gifts.

As for Fumo, he said he has not heard of any improper use of power and hopes that trend continues.

"There is a line of propriety," he said, "and I hope no one crosses it."