Legislative leaders have called for belt-tightening because of state budget problems, but they continue to travel at taxpayer expense.Fifteen legislators and two staff members are participating in the Council of State Governments meeting in Rapid City, S.D., that is running now through Wednesday. Taxpayers will pay for their travel, hotel and meal expenses, plus their $88.66 per day legislative salary.Meanwhile, 17 legislators and eight staff as of now plan to travel to New Orleans for the National Conference of State Legislatures meeting July 22-26. That is way down from 2007 when 59 legislators attended NCSL. However, 2007 was not an election year.Nine legislators and two staff members so far plan to attend the American Legislative Exchange Council meeting in Chicago that starts July 30. Conference participants’ expenses will be paid. Often corporate sponsors provide funds to offset some of the costs.Those attending the Council of State Governments meeting are House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, House Majority Leader Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell; Reps. Clay Aurand, R-Courtland, Ann Mah, D-Topeka, Eber Phelps, D-Hays, Jene Vickrey, R-Louisburg, and Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing. State Rep. Valdenia Winne, D-Kansas City, is attending but paying her own way. On the Senate side, those attending are Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, Pat Apple, R-Louisburg, Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, David Haley, D-Kansas City, Carolyn McGinn, R-Wichita, Mike Peterson, R-Wichita, Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka, and Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita.Those planning to attend NCSL are Neufeld, Merrick, state Reps. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, John Faber, R-Brewster, Pat George, R-Dodge City, John Grange, R-El Dorado, Carl Holmes, R-Liberal, Deena Horst, R-Salina, Forrest Knox, R-Altuna, Harold Lane, D-Topeka, Jo Ann Pottorf, R-Wichita, Larry Powell, R-Garden City, Louis Ruiz, D-Kansas City, Winn, and Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park. Senators going are Karin Brownlee, R-Olathe and Haley.Those planning to attend ALEC are Merrick, Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, Mario Goico, R-Wichia, Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin, Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center, Joe McLeland, R-Wichita, and Scott Schwab, R-Olathe. Senators planning on going are Ralph Ostemeyer, R-Grinnell and Chris Steinegar, D-Kansas City.