BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Five Vermont state representatives traveled to Israel last month as guests of the Israeli government, sparking questions about transparency in legislative travel after the trip became public only through social media photos.

Unlike campaign contributions or gifts from registered lobbyists, Vermont has no requirements for lawmakers to disclose sponsored travel or the gifts that make such trips possible. This creates a transparency gap that leaves voters without knowledge of what influences may be shaping their representatives’ decisions.

John McMahon spoke with Seven Days’ Hannah Bassett, who wrote about the story in this week’s issue.

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